Only 10 Sumatran rhinos left

KERINCI, Bengkulu: The double horned Sumatran rhino (dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is edging dangerously close to extinction with only 10 species left in their natural habitat in Sumatra's Kerinci National Park, a park official said.

"We're pessimistic; we cannot promise to stop the extinction of the Sumatran rhino," said Listya Kusumawardhani, who heads the national park.

She said there were at best only 10 Sumatra rhinos left in their natural habitat inside the national park in North Bengkulu regency, and that breeding them in captivity was difficult.

Poachers decimated the rhino population here for their horns, which are believed to have healing powers and are a precious commodity on the black market.

Listya also blamed illegal loggers, farmers and plantation companies for causing forest fires, all of which had reduced the habitat of the shy animal.

"Even if a male and a female rhino meet, the chances for them to mate is very small because this animal is so sensitive, even toward another rhino," she explained.

For now, Listya said, the park's target was to save the existing rhino population through tighter security and monitoring measures. -- Antara