Only 10 Sumatran rhinos left

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