Rhinos
Sumatran Rhinoceros
Habitat: lowland swamps and forests with thick vegetation
Location: northern Borneo. Borneo is the third largest island in the world, located north of Australia. The island is made up of the countries of Malaysia, Indonesia and Brunei.
Population: Fewer than 25
Background
© WWF-Canon / Alain COMPOST
Sumatran rhinos, once widespread on Borneo, only exist in the northeast state of Sabah in Malaysia. They are possibly extinct from their former habitat in the states of Sarawak (Malaysia) and Kalimantan (Indonesia). A 2005 survey found evidence of at least 13 rhinos in the interior of Sabah and scattered individuals in other parts of the state.
Threats
Habitat loss due to the destruction of forests is threatening to push the Sumatran rhino toward extinction. Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park is estimated to have the largest single population of Sumatran rhinos, but is losing forests because illegal settlers are destroying them to produce coffee and rice.
Sumatran rhinos roam logged areas where there is an abundance of regenerating plants. However, the construction of roads that provide access for loggers makes these areas more accessible to poachers. Hunting rhinos is illegal, but poaching for horns continues to satisfy demand in traditional Chinese medicine practices.
WWF works to stop forest destruction, strengthen anti-poaching efforts, monitor and stop trade of rhino horns, increase the management in protected areas and raise awareness about the threats to the species.
Physical description
The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of the living rhinoceroses and the only Asian rhino with two horns. They have red brown skin and noticeable wrinkles around the eyes. The front horn is generally less than 10 inches long, and the posterior horn is usually small and often no more than a hump. Calves are born with a dense covering of red brown hair which becomes sparse, coarse and almost black in older animals. Sumatran rhinos are six to nine feet long and 3 feet tall with an estimated body weight of a half to one ton.
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