Overview
On the western island of Sumatra in Indonesia, a rhino calf was born, marking an important conservation milestone. The second Sumatran rhino calf born in Indonesia in 2023 is this one. This new baby is a wonderful addition to the remaining individuals, as their population is in danger of being extinct.
One of the most seriously endangered species of animals in the world is the Sumatran rhinoceros. The Sumatran rhino is rapidly going extinct; there are currently fewer than 50 of them in the world. However, the ray of hope—all 25 kilograms of it—is here.
A Sumatran rhino calf was born in Sumatra, the western island of Indonesia, marking a major conservation milestone. In 2023, Indonesia will welcome the birth of a second Sumatran rhino calf. This new birth is a great advancement and a benefit to the surviving individuals, as their population is in danger of going extinct.
At the Way Sambas National Park in the Sunlamp region of Sumatra, a seven-year-old female named Delilah gave birth to a new male Sumatran rhino kid. The father, Saharan, a Sumatran rhino, was born in the Cincinnati Zoo in the United States in 2006. The final Sumatran rhino to be returned to Indonesia is named Saharan. This indicates that Indonesia is currently home to the entire population of this species. How unique!
How did the Sumatran rhino become to be classified as Critically Endangered, one wonders? The two main causes, of course, are habitat loss and poaching for their highly sought-after horns. Previously widespread in the wild, their current global count is less than 50.
The calf’s recent birth is a powerful testament to the scientific community’s and the Indonesian government’s shared commitment to rhino conservation. It is evidence of the rhino sanctuary’s successful breeding activities. It’s also cause for celebration that this was Delilah’s first delivery gone well.
A Sumatran rhino’s lifespan is estimated to be between 35 and 40 years. Every three to four years, a mature mother rhino gives birth to a single youngster. This statistic makes it clear that survival is a difficult struggle. From this point on, one can only hope that the number increases.