One step closer towards saving a magnificent species from the brink of extinction

Image of Sumatran rhino calf Andatu and his mother.

Credit: The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary

Hope for the Sumatran rhino might seem like an oxymoron, when faced with reports of declining numbers, habitat fragmentation, and human encroachment – pushing this species towards extinction. But your donations are allowing us to make a real difference to the future of this ancient rhino.

Together we’ve helped to double the capacity of The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary for holding and breeding Sumatran rhinos. The new state-of-the-art breeding facility is a major achievement towards saving this species from the brink of extinction.

CeCe Sieffert, Deputy Director of the International Rhino Foundation, our partner organisation, explains:

“The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is currently home to seven Sumatran rhinos all enjoying semi-wild existence in 247 acres of heavily protected forest, whilst being scientifically monitored as part of an intensive breeding programme. Two new calves have been born in four years, and now plans are afoot to move more wild Sumatran rhinos into the Sanctuary to encourage further breeding. Thanks to its success, the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary needed to double in size!”

Official estimates suggest there are fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos living in the wild. For the captive populations to be considered viable, the Sanctuary needs at least 15 breeding animals.

“The team needs to bring rhino living in fragmented populations into the Sanctuary if the species is to be saved,” says CeCe Sieffert, IRF Deputy Director.

The expansion has been successfully completed, and the capacity to hold and breed rhinos has now doubled in size.

Last year the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary celebrated a big milestone for the captive-breeding population – rhino calf ‘Delilah’ celebrated her first birthday on 12 May 2017. Delilah, meaning “gift from god” in Arabic, is certainly a gift to her species, and represents hope for the long-term survival of Sumatran rhinos.

Your donations have helped to move us one step closer towards saving this enigmatic and magnificent species. Thank you.

2 thoughts on “One step closer towards saving a magnificent species from the brink of extinction

  1. I have just trekked out of Kerinci Seblat near Lampur, Sumatra; up in the hills it was moving to see the relict pit traps, 40 years old, which were used to trap Sumatran Rhino- all gone from the area now. Let’s hope the breeding success will continue!!!!

  2. We “”humans”” have driven so many species to extinction because of our insatiable greed and violence. It is Patriarchal cultural where men rule the planet and play “”who can invent the most weapons of destruction”” wins the game that worships violence, domination, greed and profit above else that will hopefully lead to our extinction as well.

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