Rhino population dwindling in Jambi

JAMBI, Jambi: The Sumatran rhino population is dwindling because of poaching and deforestation, a forestry official said yesterday.

Only between 200 and 300 rhinos live in the hill forests of Kerinci and Sorolangun districts in West Sumatra, the local natural resource conservation center's chief, Romon Palete, told Antara.

The number of rhinos is decreasing and their habitat is shrinking as a result of deforestation in the last decade.

"The rhinos now number an estimated 200 to 300, including those in the Kerinci Seblat National Park," he said.

Palete said only 150 rhinos were believed to be living in the park.

"The hunting activities are neatly organized, including the marketing of the rhino horns which are sold in the international market," he said.

Palete said the inadequate number of forest rangers may have contributed to the continued illegal hunting of the protected species.