- Title: INDONESIA-JAVA RHINO/BABIES Three rare baby rhinos caught on camera in Indonesia
- Date: 12th September 2015
- Summary: PANDEGLANG, BANTEN PROVINCE, INDONESIA (SEPTEMBER 12, 2015) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF UJUNG KULON NATIONAL PARK OFFICE AT BANTEN STATUE OF JAVAN RHINO OFFICIAL OF THE NATIONAL PARK ENTERING OFFICE HEAD OF UJUNG KULON NATIONAL PARK, MOHAMMAD HARYONO INSPECTING BROKEN CAMERA-TRAP HARYONO BROKEN CAMERA-TRAPS (SOUNDBITE) (Bahasa Indonesia) HEAD OF UJUNG KULON NATIONAL PARK, MOHAMMAD HARYONO SAYING: "The problem with Javan rhino is that it is not like the rhinos in Africa and India, which can be seen and captured easily. We have prepared ways to capture the rhinos here at Ujung Kulon, either the male or female rhinos in order to move them, but it is difficult. They are elusive and shy away from humans, and they have a higher stress level compared to rhinos in India or Africa." VARIOUS OF HARYONO POINTING AT MAP WHERE BABY RHINOS WERE SEEN
- Embargoed: 27th September 2015 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Indonesia
- Country: Indonesia
- Topics: General
- Reuters ID: LVA98BMXGGTZ3JSLH07DAG8P7LFG
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Wildlife officials at the Ujung Kulon National Park on the Indonesian island of Java discovered three new Javan rhinos in the past several months from video footage of cameras hidden throughout the park. The offspring were all born from different mothers, park officials said.
The findings are giving officials new hope for the survival of this endangered species. The Javan rhino is the most endangered amongst the five species of rhinoceros in the world classifying it as critically endangered in the Red List Data Book issued by IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). It's also listed in Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) as having the fewest in existence.
"The problem with Javan rhino is that it is not like the rhinos in Africa and India, which can be seen and captured easily. We have prepared ways to capture the rhinos here at Ujung Kulon, either the male or female rhinos in order to move them, but it is difficult. They are elusive and shy away from humans, and they have a higher stress level compared to rhinos in India or Africa," said Mohammad Haryono, the head of the national park.
Even after several surveys, park officials have never encountered the animals in the field making the video very rare.
There are two issues related to the future of the rhino, the ratio of males is bigger than the ratio of females and they are vulnerable to changes in natural habitats like those affected by the eruption of nearby volcanos and low supply of food due to climate change.
The Javan rhino population in Ujung Kulon increased to 60 this year, with 33 males and 27 females.
Park officials are calling on the international community for financial support.
"We need support in terms of both funding and technology, because these animals are no longer confined to Indonesia but they belong to the world, therefore we need help from other countries which may have a more competent program," Haryono said.
As cameras provide some of the only means of interaction with the rhinos, officials said purchasing new and maintaining their current camera-traps are of high importance. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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