DETERMINING THE REPRODUCTIVE STATUS OF 3 FEMALE FREE-RANGING WHITE RHINOCEROS (CERATOTHERIUM SIMUM SIMUM) BY MEASURING FAECAL PROGESTAGEN LEVELS
Summary
There is still a lot unclear about the reproductive cycle of female white rhinoceroses. Limited
information is available and the existing data are conflicting, especially regarding the oestrous
cycle. This study was conducted from October 2008 until February 2009. In this period, three
female free-ranging white rhinoceroses were monitored in the privately owned game reserve
Lapalala. The aim was to collect as many faecal samples as possible in this period. The faeces
were collected fresh and an Enzyme Immuno Assay (EIA) was performed to determine the
progestagen levels in the samples. Reproductive progestagen levels were highly variable. The
classification of Schwarzenberger et al. (1998) was used to categorize the animals according
to their faecal progestagen levels. Due to the short study-period it is difficult to interpret the
reproductive status of the three animals. It seems that measurement of the faecal progestagen
levels is a reliable non-invasive way to collect information about the reproductive status of the
animal. This is expected to become a valuable tool for the Lapalala-management and for
conservation management in general.