The birth of the first Sumatran Rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (Fischer, 1814) – London Docks 1872

A Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) was born in the Victoria Docks of London on board the steamer Orchis arriving from Singapore. It was the first of only eight captive births of this species ever recorded. The female had been captured in Malacca (current Malaysia) together with a male which did not survive the journey. She delivered a female baby unaided by the keeper August Engelke on the evening of Friday 6 December 1872. The rhinos were owned by the animal dealers Carl Hagenbeck and William Jamrach. In London mother and baby were kept in the stables of Charles William Rice on Commercial Road, attended by John Warncken. They were examined by Abraham Dee Bartlett and Frank Buckland, and sketched by Charles Berjeau and an anonymous illustrator working for the Graphic. The baby was crushed to death by her mother on Wednesday 18 December 1872. “Never mind, better luck next time” was the optimistic summary of the Victorian commentators. The female was subsequently sent to America, most probably to be added to one of the menageries operated by P.T. Barnum.