A groundbreaking effort to save and protect the Sumatran rhino
What’s at Stake
The Sumatran rhinoceros has lived throughout Southeast Asia for millennia. But over the past
century, its population has been nearly erased as a result of
poaching and habitat loss. Today there are fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the
world. Hanging on to existence in 10 fragmented sub-populations across
two islands, this rhino is so rare that few people have ever seen one in the wild.
Separated by mountainous terrain, Sumatran rhinos now struggle to find mates in the wild to breed
their next generation.
If we don’t act now, the Sumatran rhino will very likely go extinct in our lifetime.
What’s at Stake
The Sumatran rhinoceros has lived throughout Southeast Asia for millennia. But over the past
century, its population has been nearly erased as a result of
poaching and habitat loss. Today there are fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the
world. Hanging on to existence in 10 fragmented sub-populations across
two islands, this rhino is so rare that few people have ever seen one in the wild.
Separated by mountainous terrain, Sumatran rhinos now struggle to find mates in the wild to breed
their next generation.
If we don’t act now, the Sumatran rhino will very likely go extinct in our lifetime.
Did you know?
The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of all rhino species and the closest living relative of the woolly rhino
that roamed the Earth during the Ice
Age
Saving a Species
The Plan
The Plan
The Government of Indonesia and an alliance of conservation organizations and on-the-ground
experts have launched a focused and ambitious international effort to bring the Sumatran
rhino back from the brink of extinction.
The Indonesian government and an alliance of conservation organizations and on-the-ground
experts have launched a focused and ambitious international effort to bring the Sumatran
rhino back from the brink of extinction.
Build Capacity
Establish two new Sumatran Rhino Sanctuaries in Indonesia, one in Indonesian Borneo and the other in
northern Sumatra, and expand the existing facility in Way Kambas National Park.
Search and Rescue
Find and relocate as many rhinos as possible from small, isolated populations across Sumatran and
Indonesian Borneo and move them to managed conservation breeding facilities.
Protect and Breed
Incorporate the rhinos into a single conservation breeding program that uses the state-of-the-art
veterinary and husbandry care to maximize the population growth rate..
Status of the Species
Sumatran rhino
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Height:
3.3–5 feet
Weight:
1,320–2,090 pounds
RHINOCEROS COLLAPSE
The number of Sumatran rhinos has dropped
an estimated 70 percent in the past two
decades, mostly due to poaching. Fewer than
a hundred remain in Indonesia, in isolated
pockets. Sumatran rhinos are solitary creatures.
They’re small compared with other rhino
species, and females give birth about every
three to five years.
asia
pacific
Ocean
Historic range
pacific
Ocean
Indonesia
aus.
Low Birth Rate
Small populations mean the Sumatran rhino’s
potential to reproduce is diminished, putting it
at a higher risk for extinction.
Out of Sight
Sumatran rhinos live in remote areas, so
sightings are rare and population figures are
often disputed. Camera traps are the primary
source of documentation.
A Species in Jeopardy
Isolation is the biggest threat to
Sumatran rhinos. In 2015 they were
declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia.
SUMATRA
Less than75rhinos
10 subpopulations or clusters
Thailand
Singapore
Wild rhino population
Park or reserve
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
In captivity
7 (3 males, 4 females)
3
LEUSER ECOSYSTEM
Less than 50 rhinos
6 subpopulations
1
BUKIT BARISAN
SELATAN N.P.
Less than5rhinos
2subpopulations
WAY KAMBAS N.P.
Less than20 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
In captivity
2 (1 male, 1 female, not reproductively viable)
Wild rhino population
Brunei
Park or reserve
Celebes
Sea
Java Sea
INDONESIAN BORNEO
Less than 10 rhinos
Rhinos have been seen in the Kutai Barat and Mahakam Ulu Regencies, with other rumored sightings by locals.
Lauren E. James, Clare Trainor, NGM Staff
Art: Joe McKendry
Sources: Global forest watch; Protected
planet; Global wildlife Conservation;
International Rhino Foundation; World
wildlife Fund; IUCN Species Survival Commission
The Leuser Ecosystem
Out of Sight
Gulf of
Thailand
Sumatran rhinos live in remote areas, so sightings are rare and population figures are often disputed. Camera traps are the primary source of documentation.
This mountainous tropical rain forest is home to several small, scattered populations of Sumatran rhinos.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
In captivity
2 (1 male, 1 female, not reproductively viable)
Royal Belum
State Park
Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan
Gunung Leuser N.P.
Taman Negara N.P.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
LEUSER
ECOSYSTEM
Less than 50 rhinos
6 subpopulations
Kuala Lumpur
Lake
Toba
Celebes Sea
Singapore
SUMATRA
Less than75rhinos
10 subpopulations
or clusters
WAY KAMBAS N.P.
Less than20 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Kerinci Seblat N.P.
Last record of
wild rhino: 2004
asia
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
Historic range
Low Birth Rate
In captivity
7 (3 males,4 females)
pacific
Ocean
pacific
Ocean
BUKIT BARISAN
SELATAN N.P.
Less than 5 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Small populations mean the Sumatran rhino’s potential to reproduce is diminished, putting it at a higher risk for extinction.
Java Sea
Indonesia
Jakarta
aus.
RHINOCEROS COLLAPSE
A Species in Jeopardy
Height:
3.3–5 feet
Isolation is the biggest threat to
Sumatran rhinos. In 2015 they were
declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia.
The number of Sumatran rhinos has dropped an estimated 70 percent in the past two decades, mostly due to poaching. Fewer than a hundred remain in Indonesia, in isolated pockets. Sumatran rhinos are solitary creatures. They’re small compared with other rhino species, and females give birth about every three to five years.
Sumatran rhino
Wild rhino population
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Last observed wild rhino location
Park or reserve
Weight:
1,320–2,090 pounds
Lauren E. James, Clare Trainor, NGM Staff. Art: Joe McKendry
Sources: Global forest watch; Protected planet; Global wildlife Conservation; International Rhino Foundation; World wildlife Fund; IUCN Species Survival Commission
Rhino Rescue Partnership
Sumatran Rhino Rescue is a groundbreaking approach to conservation that brings together the Government of
Indonesia,
leading international conservation organizations, local experts and conservation practitioners, and
supporters from around the world
to save a species from extinction.
The Sumatran Rhino Survival Alliance
How You Can Help
Sign Up
Want to learn more about our efforts to save these unique creatures? Sign up for email updates from our
team and get the latest news about our search and rescue efforts.
Together, we are coordinating search and rescue efforts in Indonesia. Now, it’s up to you to help provide
the assets they need to succeed. Give a gift today to fund relocation efforts and support the construction
of rhino sanctuaries to ensure a future for this species.
If you or your organization is interested in joining this effort, please contact sumatranrhinorescue@ssc.iucn.org
Learn more about the Sumatran Rhino Rescue effort and supporting organizations here.
Lead image: Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Eye close-up: Colby Bishop, National Geographic
Saving a Species/The Plan: Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Build Capacity: Colby Bishop, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Search and Rescue: Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Protect and Breed: Courtesy Barney Long, Global Wildlife Conservation
