Radio transmitter implants in the horns of both the white and the black rhinoceros in the Kruger National Park

Abstract

The procedure for implanting radio transmitters into the horns of white and black rhinoceroses is described. Mean transmitter life in the white rhinoceros was 13,9 months which is significantly longer than the 9,7 months in black rhinoceros. In the white rhinoceros a significant sex-related difference in transmitter life was found with the transmitters in males lasting a mean of 12,1 months compared to the 15,3 months in females.

Keywords

• radio transmitters, Telonics, white rhinoceros, black rhinoceros, Kruger National Park, horn implants, dental acrylic, transmitter life.