Javanese rhinos less than 100

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.