Saving the Sumatran Rhino
Sumatran rhinos are the most endangered large mammal on Earth. While we’ve had several recent successes with the species, we still have a long way to go, and we hope you will consider making a donation to help us accomplish even more next year.
Sumatran Rhinos – What We’ve Accomplished
Sumatran rhinos are Critically Endangered, just one step away from being extinct in the wild. The population has plummeted by more than 70% over the last two decades, largely due to human encroachment and the ever-constant threat of poaching. Sumatran rhinos only exist in several protected areas in Indonesia, where they are physically guarded by Rhino Protection Units (RPUs).
Rhino Protection Units regularly patrol the forests, monitoring rhinos, tigers, elephants, tapirs and other wildlife, removing traps and snares, and apprehending poachers and others entering the parks illegally.
In addition to operating RPUs, IRF and our local partner YABI created the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, an intensively managed research and breeding facility in Way Kambas National Park. Sumatran rhinos are notoriously difficult to breed, but we’ve now had two births at the sanctuary – a male named “Andatu,” born in 2012, and a female named “Delilah,” born in 2016.
With so few Sumatran rhinos left on Earth, each birth is a small, but critical step toward saving the species from extinction.
Sumatran Rhinos – What Comes Next?
With the new births, the SRS is now home to eight rhinos, and has reached its maximum capacity. Thanks to a generous grant from an anonymous donor, we’ve started an expansion to double the sanctuary. This expansion will also create permanent quarantine, maternity and ambassador animal enclosures, expand laboratory space, staff and guest quarters, and improve security and infrastructure. Our long-term goal is to move more Sumatran rhinos into the expanded sanctuary and breed more rhinos that can be eventually reintroduced back into the wild.
How Can You Help?
Please consider making a year-end donation to help expand the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary and protect Sumatran rhinos in the wild.
