Rare Javan rhinos get new lease on life: WWF

Rare Javan rhinos get new lease on life: WWF

Agence France-Presse, Gland, Switzerland

The birth of four rare Javan rhinoceros in an Indonesian national park in the last two years has sparked renewed hopes for the survival of the animals, the WWF conservation organization said on Thursday.

The species is one of the world's rarest large mammals, with currently only about 50 Javan rhinos living in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia and another five to eight thought to live in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam, WWF said.

The new births were confirmed by an 18-month survey using hidden cameras in Ujung Kulon and genetic tests on animal droppings, WWF said in a press release.

"The births are a significant step and indicate that the rhinoceros are breeding with potential for further gains in population after years of zero growth," Nazir Foead, deputy director of species conservation at WWF Indonesia said.

WWF said it aimed to boost Javan rhino population levels to about 80 in the Indonesian park.

"Once that is achieved, it will allow for the translocation of other animals to form a founding group for the second Javan rhino population in Indonesia," Foead said.

The survey in Ujung Kulon started in January 2000. The park was created to act as a nature reserve for the rhinos, which had declined to about 25 animals in the 1930s.

The WWF provides economic aid to local villagers to improve their livelihoods without jeopardizing rhino conservation through hunting.

"Working with the local community, the park authorities and the government, between 1967 and 1978 we managed to double the population of Javan rhinos," Foead said.