STATEMENT

STATEMENT FROM SUMATRAN RHINO RESCUE ON THE LOSS OF IMAN

November 23, 2019 — Jon Paul Rodriguez, Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission issued the following statement on behalf of Sumatran Rhino Rescue regarding the death of Malaysia’s last known Sumatran rhino, Iman:

“The passing of Iman, Malaysia’s last known Sumatran rhino, marks a tragic development for this species. With fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos left on the planet, the species’ last hope lies in Indonesia. Iman’s death underscores the urgency of the global community's efforts to save the Sumatran rhino from extinction and we are committed to continuing our work to support the government of Indonesia’s Emergency Action Plan to save this species.”

About Sumatran Rhino Rescue

Sumatran Rhino Rescue is a groundbreaking, collaborative approach to save the Sumatran rhino by supporting the Government of Indonesia’s national Sumatran rhino conservation breeding program. The effort is led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Species Survival Commission, in coordination with Global Wildlife Conservation, International Rhino Foundation, the National Geographic Society, and WWF and supported by partners on the ground in Indonesia.

CONTACT INFO

Fae Jencks, National Geographic Society fjencks@ngs.org