Javanese rhinos less than 100

BOGOR, West Java: The population of the almost-extinct Javanese rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus), has fallen to less than 100, a researcher was quoted by Antara as saying Tuesday.

There are only between 51 and 67 in Unjung Kulon National Park in West Java, the chairperson of the Javanese Rhino Research Team of the Bogor Institute of Agriculture (IPB), E.K.S. Harini Muntasib, said here Tuesday.

Only between seven and nine rhinos lived in Vietnam and there were a few in Laos and Cambodia, said Harini who, along with her team, is researching how to manage the habitats of Javanese rhinos.

She said that without an effective technique to manage their habitats, Javanese rhinos might not survive natural disasters, disease and hunting.

"Without proper management, Javanese rhinos will face extinction," she said, adding that one of the Rhinos' problems was that edible plants were becoming scarce.

Competition from wild oxen and tourists in Rhino habitats are also denting their chances of survival.