The Sumatran rhinoceros is a one of the most endangered animals in the world, with only about 200 remaining in the wild, 180 in Indonesia and the rest in Malaysia.
In the last 15 years, their numbers have decreased more than 50%, mostly killed by men who hunted for their horns believed to have medicinal ingredients.
Recently, Indonesian conservationists at the Rhino Sanctuary in Lampung, made a breakthrough in efforts to save the rhino after an 8 years old female called Ratu became pregnant in captivity. It happened after Ratu mate with Andalas, the first of only three Sumatran rhinos born in captivity in more than a century. Andalas was born on September 13, 2001 at a zoo in Cincinnati, USA, while Ratu was rescued in 2005 after she was chased from a forest in Sumatra by villagers. The baby is predicted to 36 days old, and expected to be born on May 2011.In the last 15 years, their numbers have decreased more than 50%, mostly killed by men who hunted for their horns believed to have medicinal ingredients.
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This is a very good news for us. I hope efforst to save the endangered Sumatra Rhino would be continued so that their numbers will increase.
Photo: Courtesy of Google/AFP.
7 comments:
At least there is a balance action by mankind who act as rescuer after the destructive action by the fellow being. Hopefully not too late for the rhinos population.
Kakironda,
Yes, thank God! Let's hope.
Poor rhinos..is the horns really good as medicine or is it a myth.I saw a documentary recently as to why rhinos like pandas are not so productive.Apparently they have to eat a great variety of vegetation to be fertile.Sadly most vegetations have been cleared for farming etc.
Umi,
The rhinos are very difficult to breed even in their habitat in the forest. With the rapid decrease of forest area, plus hunted by men, their chance of survival is getting slimmer every day. Hopefully the birth of baby rhino will enable us to increase their population.
Survival of the fittest is at stake! Appropriate actions are the only solution to a growing problem.
Sadia,
Appropriate action should really be taken to save the endangered rhinos. After all they are part of God's creation, just like us humans.
It might be "Survival of the fitest", but that was intended for mother nature, not for human intervention. I sincerely hope that the baby survives!
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