October 20, 2023 – In a significant milestone for conservation efforts, a critically endangered Sumatran rhinoceros calf was born on Saturday at the Way Kambas National Park on southern Sumatra island, Indonesia. The newborn, an unnamed female weighing approximately 27 kilograms (60 pounds), marks the third successful pairing between the local female rhino, Ratu, and Andalas, a former resident of Ohio’s Cincinnati Zoo.
The Sumatran rhino, one of the world's smallest rhino species, with a height of 4 to 5 feet and covered in long hair, has faced the brink of extinction due to illegal poaching and habitat loss. Once widespread across Southeast Asia, their population has dwindled to fewer than 80 individuals scattered across fragmented areas in Indonesia, as reported by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
The birth of this calf, which occurred naturally in just 45 minutes, stands as a beacon of hope for a species struggling for survival. Despite their solitary nature, the mother, Ratu, was observed nurturing her newborn shortly after birth. The calf was able to stand within the first 45 minutes and began feeding from her mother within four hours.
Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, expressed her joy, stating, “This is happy news not just for Indonesia but the rest of the world. The successful birth of this calf signifies the potential for the survival and revitalization of the Sumatran rhino species.”
However, conservationists remain vigilant due to the challenges faced by the species. Habitat loss has forced these rhinos into smaller areas of the Indonesian jungle, making direct sightings rare and footprints harder to find. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary’s breeding program has emerged as a beacon of hope, producing three calves and striving to create an insurance population of rhinos.
This event offers a glimmer of hope in the face of an extinction crisis. The International Rhino Foundation continues to work diligently to conserve these magnificent creatures, emphasizing the urgency of global collaboration to protect and preserve this critically endangered species.
The Sumatran rhino, one of the world's smallest rhino species, with a height of 4 to 5 feet and covered in long hair, has faced the brink of extinction due to illegal poaching and habitat loss. Once widespread across Southeast Asia, their population has dwindled to fewer than 80 individuals scattered across fragmented areas in Indonesia, as reported by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
The birth of this calf, which occurred naturally in just 45 minutes, stands as a beacon of hope for a species struggling for survival. Despite their solitary nature, the mother, Ratu, was observed nurturing her newborn shortly after birth. The calf was able to stand within the first 45 minutes and began feeding from her mother within four hours.
Indonesia’s Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar, expressed her joy, stating, “This is happy news not just for Indonesia but the rest of the world. The successful birth of this calf signifies the potential for the survival and revitalization of the Sumatran rhino species.”
However, conservationists remain vigilant due to the challenges faced by the species. Habitat loss has forced these rhinos into smaller areas of the Indonesian jungle, making direct sightings rare and footprints harder to find. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary’s breeding program has emerged as a beacon of hope, producing three calves and striving to create an insurance population of rhinos.
This event offers a glimmer of hope in the face of an extinction crisis. The International Rhino Foundation continues to work diligently to conserve these magnificent creatures, emphasizing the urgency of global collaboration to protect and preserve this critically endangered species.
