A rare Sumatran rhino has been born into captivity in Indonesia, representing “hope for the species,” wildlife officials say.
The newborn rhino’s mother, Rosa, gave birth on March 24 to a female calf at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary located in Way Kambas National Park, the International Rhino Foundation announced Monday.
“The birth of the Sumatran rhino is good news amid the efforts of the Indonesian government and partners to increase the Sumatran rhino population,” Wiratno, the director-general of conservation at the environment ministry, said.
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There are less than 80 Sumatran rhinos known in the world. They are listed as critically endangered by the World Wildlife Fund. Once found in the eastern Himalayas, they now only survive roaming on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
The rhinos’ existence has been endangered over the years through habitat loss and fragmentation. In the past 15 years, only two female rhinos in captivity reproduced.
Rosa lost eight pregnancies prior to the new calf’s birth. The calf’s birth took place at the only facility Sumatran rhinos are able to breed naturally, wildlife officials said in the press release.
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Sumatran rhinos weigh approximately 1,320 to 2,090 pounds and are covered in long hair that turns reddish-brown in young adult rhinos, according to the WWF.
