27-11-2023 (JAKARTA) In a significant milestone for the conservation of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino, a rare sanctuary birth has occurred in western Indonesia, officials announced on Monday. With the population of these rhinos estimated to be less than 80 on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, the birth marks a crucial moment for the species.
Delilah, a female rhino at Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, gave birth to a yet-to-be-named male calf weighing 25 kilograms (55 pounds) over the weekend. The father, Harapan, contributed to the birth, making it the fifth calf born under the park’s semi-wild breeding program, according to a statement by Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar.
The Sumatran rhino herd at Way Kambas now totals 10, with the recent birth following another in September. Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “This birth is the second birth of the Sumatran Rhino in 2023. This further strengthens the government’s commitment to Rhino conservation in Indonesia.”
The successful birth is a rare occurrence, as the Sumatran rhino faces numerous threats, pushing them to the brink of extinction. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies the Sumatran rhino as critically endangered, with factors such as poaching and climate change contributing to their precarious situation.
The birth at Way Kambas echoes the historic milestone of Andatu, a male rhino born in 2012, marking the first Sumatran rhino birth in an Indonesian sanctuary in over 120 years.
The conservation efforts extend beyond Sumatran rhinos, as Indonesia grapples with the critically endangered Javan rhino, with fewer than 80 individuals remaining. The persistent threats faced by these majestic creatures, coupled with illegal activities such as rhino horn poaching for traditional Chinese medicine, underscore the urgency of continued conservation initiatives.
