There seems to be continuous stream of bad news for Sumatran rhinos from their confirmed extinction in mainland Asia to the nearly complete failure of the captive breeding program. Researchers have now mapped where the last safe zones for the rhinos are on Sumatra in an attempt to direct in situ protection for the last stand of the species. Hopefully this will result in some good news for Sumatran rhino conservation... Could a new map save the Sumatran rhino?
You've probably seen that they have just announced the female Ratu ( mother of the previous calf) at Way Kambas, is pregnant again, which is a little bit of good news. Though the other potential female Rosa does not feature in any news and I wonder why she has not bred or become pregnant yet (the third female there- Bina, is no doubt too old).
Here is an interview with the lead scientist of the recent review of Sumatran rhino status. He has some interesting and important thoughts on what it will take to save the species: Can Anything Save the Sumatran Rhino From Extinction?
Lastest "news" about the Sumatran rhinos in East Kalimantan : Only a dozen Sumatran rhinos left in East Kalimantan, experts believe - The Jakarta Post
First time I've heard any reference to Pahu's age- it does not sound very hopeful that she will be a viable breeder still if she is really already '25' plus...
I think the mislabelled picture of the white rhino says a lot about the integrity of this piece. But its entirely possible she's old. indeed its likely most of the remaining captured rhinos will be of old age unfortunately.
Apparently she had a calf about five years ago but they don't know its whereabouts currently- if its still alive that is.
Mentioned in this 2018 article: The long journey to saving the Sumatran rhino, via Borneo (commentary) The animal they are calling Pahu's calf is named Tenaik. The article says that since 2013 the area was occupied by three rhinos (Pahu, Tenaik, and another female named Najak who was captured in March 2016 and died the following month). The article says that Tenaik is believed to be about five years old, so given that the article is from 2018 I presume that she was still a baby with Pahu when first recorded and that is how they know she is Pahu's calf. However "there are no signs at present of Tenaik". Pahu was captured in November last year.
A question: I've heard that Sumatran Rhinos are supposedly easy to see in the wild. To what extent is this true? Not that I have any plans to get to Asia any time soon.
I've never heard that. I've heard that about Javan rhinos, though, which I think are fairly easy to find in Ujung Kulon NP.
Neither species are easy to see by any stretch of the imagination. I'd be interested in where both of you "heard" that they are. Indian Rhinos are definitely easy to see however, because they live in open country and are relatively common in the protected areas in which they occur.
Probably where I read it too. No other mention of it anywhere...I am not fully clear what is intended for Pahu now- trying to find a male to 'pair' her with I believe?
I believe that researchers, guards etc in Udjong Kulon next to never see the rhinos they are protecting, and to see or photo one, apart from with trail cameras, is a rare occurrence indeed. I suspect similar with Sumatran rhino. As you know in places like Kaziranga, you'll probably see Indian rhino within a few minutes of entering the park( I did anyway) and then lots more after that.
