DID YOU KNOW?
The Sumatran rhino is the smallest of all rhino species and the closest living relative of the woolly rhino that roamed the Earth during the Ice Age.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
The Sumatran rhinoceros has lived throughout Southeast Asia for millennia. But over the past century, its population has been nearly erased as a result of poaching and habitat loss. Today there are fewer than 80 Sumatran rhinos left in the world. Hanging on to existence in 10 fragmented sub-populations across two islands, this rhino is so rare that few people have ever seen one in the wild. Separated by mountainous terrain, Sumatran rhinos now struggle to find mates in the wild to breed their next generation.
If we don’t act now, the Sumatran rhino will very likely go extinct in our lifetime.
SAVING A SPECIES
THE PLAN
The Government of Indonesia and an alliance of conservation organizations and on-the-ground experts have launched a focused and ambitious international effort to bring the Sumatran rhino back from the brink of extinction.
BUILD CAPACITY
Establish two new Sumatran rhino sanctuaries in Indonesia, one in Indonesian Borneo and the other in northern Sumatra, and expand the existing facility in Way Kambas National Park.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Find as many rhinos as possible living in small, isolated populations across Sumatra and Indonesian Borneo and relocate them to managed conservation breeding facilities.
PROTECT AND BREED
Incorporate the rhinos into a single conservation breeding program that uses the state-of-the-art veterinary and husbandry care to maximize the population growth rate.
STATUS OF THE SPECIES
The Leuser Ecosystem
Out of Sight
Gulf of
Thailand
Sumatran rhinos live in remote areas, so sightings are rare and population figures are often disputed. Camera traps are the primary source of documentation.
This mountainous tropical rain forest is home to several small, scattered populations of Sumatran rhinos.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
In captivity
1 (1 female, not reproductively viable)
Royal Belum
State Park
Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan
Gunung Leuser N.P.
Taman Negara N.P.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
LEUSER
ECOSYSTEM
Less than 50 rhinos
6 subpopulations
Kuala Lumpur
Lake
Toba
Celebes Sea
Singapore
SUMATRA
Less than 75 rhinos
10 subpopulations
or clusters
WAY KAMBAS N.P.
Less than 20 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Kerinci Seblat N.P.
Last record of
wild rhino: 2004
asia
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
Historic range
Low Birth Rate
In captivity
7 (3 males,4 females)
pacific
Ocean
pacific
Ocean
BUKIT BARISAN
SELATAN N.P.
Less than 5 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Small populations mean the Sumatran rhino’s potential to reproduce is diminished, putting it at a higher risk for extinction.
Java Sea
Indonesia
Jakarta
aus.
RHINOCEROS COLLAPSE
A Species in Jeopardy
Height:
3.3–5 feet
Isolation is the biggest threat to
Sumatran rhinos. In 2015 they were
declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia.
The number of Sumatran rhinos has dropped an estimated 70 percent in the past two decades, mostly due to poaching. Fewer than a hundred remain in Indonesia, in isolated pockets. Sumatran rhinos are solitary creatures. They’re small compared with other rhino species, and females give birth about every three to five years.
Sumatran rhino
Wild rhino population
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Last observed wild rhino location
Park or reserve
Weight:
1,320–2,090 pounds
Lauren E. James, Clare Trainor, NGM Staff. Art: Joe McKendry
Sources: Global forest watch; Protected planet; Global wildlife Conservation; International Rhino Foundation; World wildlife Fund; IUCN Species Survival Commission
The Sumatran Rhino
Survival Alliance
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Stay Informed
Want to learn more about our efforts to save these unique creatures? Sign up for email updates from our team and get the latest news about our search and rescue efforts.
Support the Effort
Together, we are coordinating search and rescue efforts in Indonesia. Now, it’s up to you to help provide the assets they need to succeed. Give a gift today to fund relocation efforts and support the construction of rhino sanctuaries to ensure a future for this species.
If you or your organization is interested in joining this effort, please contact sumatranrhinorescue@ssc.iucn.org.
Learn more about the Sumatran Rhino Rescue effort and supporting organizations here.
Lead image: Photograph by Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Eye close-up: Colby Bishop, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Latest News: Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Saving a Species/The Plan: Alain Compost, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Build Capacity: Colby Bishop, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Search and Rescue: Joel Sartore, National Geographic
Saving a Species/Protect and Breed: Courtesy Barney Long, Re:wild