Four rhinos to come home

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Four two-horned rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) would be returned home from London as soon as their breeding area in Way Kambas National Park, Central Lampung, was ready, an official said yesterday.

Head of the local forestry office Eko Wardoyo was quoted by Antara saying the breeding area, to be completed by the end of this year, would cover 10 hectares inside the national park.

Wardoyo said the return of the four rhinos to Indonesia was planned several years ago. "The plan could not be materialized yet because we have to prepare the breeding area first," he said.

The return of the rhinos to Indonesia has been supported by the International Rhino Foundation, a non-governmental organization (NGO) active in the efforts to preserve the rare animal.

Meanwhile, chief of the environmental preservation bureau in Lampung, Haryanto WS, said in London the rhinos were apparently suffering from stress, which is why they were unable to breed in their London breeding area. (swe)