Fewer than 50 Sumatran rhinos remain in the world, and the animals are now unable to find mates because they are scattered across different islands, reports infohub.kz.
The fragmentation of the population has become the main threat to the species' survival. The remaining individuals live in small groups on two islands in Indonesia. The chances of solitary animals encountering a suitable mate in the wild are close to zero. As a result, isolated rhinos die without leaving offspring.
To save the rare species, the International Rhino Foundation has established a special sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park on Sumatra. There, 10 individuals live in near-natural conditions. They are under constant veterinary supervision and receive the necessary nutrition.
The efforts of specialists are yielding initial results. Between 2012 and 2023, five calves were born at the sanctuary, and recently zoologists announced two more pregnancies among the females. However, reproduction is slow: gestation lasts about 16 months, and the interval between births can be several years.
The situation is complicated by poaching. Demand for rhino horn is growing in China and Vietnam, where it is used in traditional medicine and considered a symbol of high status. To preserve the species, conservationists propose relocating the animals and involving local community residents in their protection.