The Javan Rhino

"Facing Extinction in the Wild"

As one of many global endangered mammals, the Javan rhino probably has the least chance of survival.

Only 50 or 60 wild animals remain on the planet. That's all!

Previously spread throughout Southeast Asia, from as far as India to Vietnam, the shy and reclusive rhinoceros lives in one national park in Java, Indonesia with less than ten animals hanging on in Vietnam.

Decimated by centuries of sport killing and poaching for its single rhino horn and loss of lowland rainforest habitat, it is a shame to lose a magnificent species to the false claims of medicinal products and the folly of humans not to protect rare animals.

Asia has two other living rhino species:

• Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) - Found in the jungles of Borneo and Peninsular Malaysia with less than 400 individuals.
• Greater Asian One-Horned (Indian) Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) - Found only in India and Nepal with 2,400 individuals remaining.

Check out these rhinoceros facts for a quick overview of the threatened and endangered rhino species of Asia.

Killed for sport in Indonesia by a European hunter in 1895

Javan Rhino: Conservation and Survival

As the rarest of all rhinoceroses, the Javan rhinoceros is a victim of its own demise.

There are too few animals for extensive wildlife studies and not enough specimens to merit captive breeding programs. Plus, the difficult trials with trying to breed Sumatran rhinos in zoos dampens any enthusiasm to try it with Javan species.

Oddly enough, the great volcanic eruption of Krakatoa in 1883 probably saved the current population of wild rhinos. The Ujung Kulon peninsula on the west end of Java was recolonized by rhinos after the eruption; however, very few humans returned, thus making the area a haven for wildlife.

Now it's a national park with the last remaining breeding population in the wild, with evidence of four baby rhinos in 2006.

Conservationists conclude that a population of 100 rhinos might be the threshold to ensure a healthy gene pool for its longterm survival.

The good news is that populations have not declined in the last few decades. So the wild population at Ujung Kulon seems to be protected from poaching and avoiding disease problems.

But the carrying capacity at the national park is limited and more studies are required to seek out alternatives such as relocating rhinos to better habitats. A tricky situation for wildlife managers because of the fragile condition of the species.

Though the species is in danger, conservation measures continue to provide a chance for a comeback. In Vietnam, a special conservation project aims to improve species protection and work with communities to avoid park encroachment.

For the critical population in Ujung Kulon, increased rhino protection from anti-poaching patrols, camera trap monitoring, and studies to improve habitat and food resources strengthen the prospects for a recovery of the Javan rhino.

Javan Rhinoceros, Ujung Kulon, Indonesia
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