Update from SOS Rhino, October 2006

Dear All,
 
Many changes have occurred since the beginning of the year. In April, we hired Dr. M.S. Thayaparan as Acting Program Officer to replace Dr. Edwin Bosi in Malaysia. Thaya is a 31 year-old veterinarian and recently finished his Masters degree at the local university. SOS Rhino supported him throughout his studies. He is competent, enthusiastic, energetic, and creative and has moved projects further forward in the last three months than we have seen in the last three years. A significant obstacle was removed in many areas. This spirit inspires the staff as well as the local community. We are glad to have him.
 
We have a larger more committed crew in the forest. There are 2 coordinators and 25 rangers. We keep track of them with much improved technological and managerial capability. They are producing more detailed records of which areas they are covering and the information they are gathering through improved maps and tracking systems. Patrols are getting more complete information. Reliable information will be especially important this year since we are tripling our survey work.
 
We are applying three different methods to survey Tabin for rhinos this year. This will result in the best assessment of Tabin’s rhino population that has ever been made. First, we are finishing a transect survey that can be compared with a survey that was done in 2001-2002. Second, we invited very experienced Indonesian rangers to train our rangers and to make some evaluations about the status of the population in Tabin as compared with similar areas in Indonesia. They have been in the forest with our rangers and are finding more evidence of rhino. And finally, we are asking Sabah Wildlife Department, WWF and the Sabah Foundation to help us accomplish a general survey, originally scheduled for the end of this year, but postponed due to heavy rains. Dr. Thaya is organizing the survey and has managed to get everyone on board. He works easily and productively with these groups -- a refreshing experience for everyone. After the comprehensive survey is completed, SOS Rhino Borneo will sponsor an international meeting that will help us make appropriate decisions about the continued management of the population in Tabin.

To date our RPUs have learned invaluable tracking information from the Indonesian Rhino Rangers and in exchange we shared new technology with them. This interaction with the Indonesian Rangers combined with Thaya’s presence, the discovery of baby rhino footprints in two locations in Tabin and the exciting catch by one of our rangers of video of a wild rhino has really increased the enthusiasm among our Rangers. The news of the baby footprints and the video was disseminated over 32 national and international media outlets. The video was the first ever of a wild rhino - not kidding - it has taken us 6 years and we are the only ones that have ever accomplished it, which is why they are called the “ghost of the forest”. The ranger was beside himself and we were in a state of euphoria.

This renewed fervor could not have come at a better time given the recent increase in forest intrusions. Back in 2000-2001, we found camps of poachers in the forest who were so comfortable that they wanted a picture of our Rangers taken with them. Since 2001 we have found very few signs of human encroachment in the forest. However, we have recently seen an increase in evidence of human activity and are focusing more of our manpower and efforts on anti-poaching activities. In addition to asking and receiving more help from the surrounding plantations, 10 of our Rangers have passed the necessary exams and will soon be awarded Honorary Game Warden status. The Wildlife Department limits the number of Honorary Game Wardens; accordingly, we will retain these designations within SOSR Borneo instead of allowing the individuals to take them if they leave the organization.

We now have two Field Coordinators. One leads the Rangers and the other focuses on outreach with villagers and aids the ecotourism masters student. They have been surveying the local attitudes about wildlife and conservation. Our ecotourism masters student recently submitted the following report:
 
“All four villages’ chief were glad for the workshop on the Sumatran rhinoceros and tourism since the villagers have never seen Sumatran rhino before and know very little about the creatures … now they have appreciation for the Sumatran rhinoceros.”
Fiffy Hanisdah Saikim, Master Student, UMS
 
This long-standing connection with University of Malaysia Sabah coupled with the recent elimination of a substantial obstacle has resulted in a giant leap forward in communication, assistance and support. We formed the first conservation club on campus for the University. They invited us to speak to the incoming undergraduates to increase their interest in joining the “Rhino Club.” So far, the Club has sold a lot of t-shirts and its members are planning a rhino run next March. The Club has become a valuable source of volunteers to help us with our events and promotion around town and will hopefully interest more students in conservation careers.
 
We have been working diligently on the following awareness and community outreach initiatives:
 
Tabin Wildlife Resort has established a package expedition with us to send their clientele for a rhino tracking experience. The opening for the package will be at the travel show in November in the UK.
 
John Lo, one of our SOS Rhino Borneo Board Members, has introduced me to several of the local Rotary Clubs, which has given me the opportunity to speak on many occasions. One of the local Kota Kinabalu Clubs is considering making a grant request on our behalf to Rotary International and its members are interested in supporting the Rhino Run the UMS Rhino Club wants to put on next March.
 
We held a press conference in Kula Lumpur for the Extreme 4x4 Malaysian Rainforest Challenge Tour for the Rhino in November 2006. DDB PR our pro bono ad partners have been working very hard at sponsorships. Andora Fredricks (now Kumar) is spearheading the drive. She has been with us since the early days when she was an education officer at the zoo in KL and created several rhino exhibits for us in that role.
 
We received grants from the US government (Fish and Wildlife Department), Pacific Asia Travel Association Foundation, Asian Rhino Project, and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria. These funds have helped defray equipment, vehicle, personnel and supply related costs.
 
I have continued in my capacity as the Acting Executive Director. It has been challenging and rewarding. Since April, our biggest improvement has been the establishment of best business practices. Our relations with almost every organization have improved immensely. The hiring of new invigorated staff has increased productivity and morale. Our connections within the business community and local NGOs have expanded exponentially and have yielded new and creative ways to build awareness about the Sumatran rhino. As a result, we have had media coverage several times each month regarding the latest discoveries by our newly enthused Rangers. I am extremely proud of the way in which the staff has stepped up to meet the new challenges.

Thank you for your continued support!

Dr. Nan Schaffer
President / Acting Executive Director
SOS Rhino