7-4-2024 (JAKARTA) A recent sighting of a Javan rhinoceros calf in an Indonesian national park has ignited optimism for the conservation efforts aimed at preserving one of the world’s most endangered mammals.
The calf, believed to be between three and five months old, was captured on footage obtained on Thursday (Apr 4) by one of the 126 camera traps strategically positioned in Ujung Kulon National Park on Java island.
Although the sex of the calf remains undetermined, it was observed walking alongside its mother within the confines of the park, which serves as the last remaining wild habitat for Javan rhinos.
“Praise be to God, this development is indeed heartening and underscores the capability of Javan rhinos, confined to Ujung Kulon, to engage in successful breeding,” remarked senior environment ministry official Satyawan Pudyatmoko in a statement released on Saturday.
Following years of population decline, conservation authorities estimate that there are currently 82 Javan rhinos inhabiting the approximately 120,000-hectare sanctuary characterized by lush rainforests and freshwater streams.
Javan rhinoceros are distinctive for their folds of loose skin, giving them the appearance of being encased in armour plating. Once abundant across Southeast Asia, their population has dwindled significantly due to widespread poaching and human encroachment on their natural habitats.
