Two-horned rhinos live in Lampung

Two-horned rhinos live in Lampung

JAKARTA (JP): After years of exploration, experts have found a habitat of two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros in the Way Kambas National Park, Lampung.

A team from the local natural conservation office and the London-based International Union for the Conservation of Nature, have determined that the two-horned rhinos live in and roam the 130,000-hectare park.

The local conservation office chief Harjanto W.S. told the Antara news agency yesterday that the finding of the Dicerorhinus Sumateraensis rhinos is further proof that the national park is actually "a living laboratory" of rare animals. Around 32 kinds of rare animals have been found to live there, the agency reported.

Another official at the conservation office, Suherti Reddy, said that a team of experts have also found the habitat of the rare "golden cats" (Felis temminecki) and the yellow and black striped Sumatran tigers.

Harjanto, however, warned the public against trying to find the rare animals themselves. "These animals are so sensitive of humans," he said.

Experts studied the areas, he said, not in order to determine the population of rare animals, but to establish their existence.

"We should make all efforts to protect the habitat of those animals, especially from humans," Harjanto said.

The government plans to turn Way Kanan, a resort inside the Way Kambas reserve, into a natural breeding spot for rhinoceros. Funded by a number of international environmental foundations, the project will cover an area of 10,000 hectares. (swe)