Sumatran rhinos are one of five species of rhino worldwide. There are thought to be fewer than 50 remaining in the wild and they are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN.
With so few wild rhino, and many quite old now and not in the peak of reproductive health, along with fragmented habitat, the probability of breeding individuals finding each other and succesfully raising young is very slim.
At the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra Indonesia, an important conservation breeding programme has provided hope about the future of the species.
The sanctuary was established in 1996 on a 250 acre site offering a natural rainforest environment. In 2019 the sanctuary expanded into Way Kambas National Park. The rhino are carefully monitored and receive state-of-the-art veterinary care and nutrition.
Four rhino have been born at the sanctuary to date, bringing the total number of Sumatran rhino living in the forest to nine.
Captive breeding programmes are never the first choice.
Only 7 Sumatran rhino have been conceived and born in captivity worldwide. The other three were born at Cincinnati Zoo in the US in 2001, 2004 and 2007.Two of these now live at SRS. This is not for lack of trying – there have been failed attempts, with tragic consequences. In Malaysia a breeding programme concluded with all 14 rhino dying. This emphasises how challenging breeding programmes are, and how important research and knowledge-sharing is. The breeding programme at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is vital to securing a future for the species and shows how given space and security they can thrive.
The last calf to be born at the sanctuary was just last year, in March, to first-time mother Rosa. Rosa’s road to motherhood was not straightforward. After eight failed pregnanices, the birth of her calf was seen as a huge success. Rosa was translocated from Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park after she developed a habit of wandering into the local villages and is was decided that she would be better protected living at the sanctuary.
The latest arrival was born 30 September to experienced mother Ratu. Ratu herself was born in neighbouring Way Kambas National Park more than 20 years ago. Her third calf is a young female – a sister for Andatu (2012) and Delilah (2016). She is as yet unnamed. We look forward to bringing you updates and hope for a healthy future for the little one and her family.
Images: courtesy of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry and Way Kambas NP.
