The Sumatran Rhino footprints found in Borneo

The rhinoceros was not only living on the Java and Sumatra, but also in Borneo island. Indication of a rhinoceros on the Borneo island is revealed in the expedition the Indonesian World Wildlife Foundation (WWF-Indonesia) in the forests of West Kutai regency, East Kalimantan, which found traces of this big mammals.

The first discovery occurred in mid-January. At that time, three members of the WWF's orangutans monitoring team found that animal tracks with three nails. These findings are followed up by sending a more complete survey team a month later. The second survey is then find the evidence more fully.

The smallest of the five rhino species, Sumatran rhinos are about at 145 cm (or 4.5 feet) tall and weigh about one ton. It is the only Asian rhino species with two horns. (Picture from: http://www.ens-newswire.com/)

"They were identified as a rhinoceros," said WWF-Indonesia Forest Management Coordinator, Yuyun Kurniawan, told Tempo last Thursday. The evidence they found in February 2013 in the form of rhino footprints, former puddles, attrition rhino body on the tree, horns on the wall friction puddles, and the bite and twist at the top of the plant. Rhino experts from the Faculty of Forestry, University of Mulawarman, Chandradewana Boer, conclude these traits lead to Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, two horned adult Sumatran rhino species.

First-ever camera trap photo of a Sumatran rhinoceros in the wild on the island of Borneo. The camera trap had been set up by the WWF AREAS programme in the Bornean jungle of Sabah. (Picture from: http://wwf.panda.org/)

The discovery of Sumatran rhino in Borneo is the first record. Earlier, a team of experts have found the Sabah rhino in the forest, which is a region of Malaysia. Although located on the same island, the rhinos in West Kutai is likely not interact with species of rhino in Sabah.

Rhino horn scratch marks on tree trunks. (Picture from: http://www.natureworldnews.com/)

"Distance forest too far and certainly different habitat," says Yuyun. But WWF reluctant to mention the forests of Borneo is home to the Sumatran rhino. Rhino horns are highly valuable commodity that is often the target of the hunt. Disclosure of invention forest can invite hunters to destroy rhinos.

Researchers measured Sumatran rhino footprints. (Picture from: http://www.latinospost.com/)

The Sumatran rhino habitats in the Borneo region that found by WWF-Indonesia known as Heart of Borneo. The virgin forest area of ​​220 thousand square kilometers across from south to north, across the three countries. In this forest live 10 endemic species, over 350 species of birds and 150 reptiles and amphibians. There are also 10 thousand kinds of plants.

Rhino wallow found during the survey. (Picture from: http://wwf.panda.org/)

Among the diversity of it, the survey found 30 species of plants are suitable as feed rhinos. Abundance variation is expected to support the sustainability of the Sumatran rhino species in Borneo. The Sumatran rhinos have two horns while the Javan in Ujung Kulon have one horn. Among the world's five rhino species, the Sumatran rhino is a the smallest body size with a height of 145 centimeters. Previous research suggests that the Sumatran rhinos live only in Bengkulu and Lampung. While in Vietnam, the last rhino dies at the hands of hunters.

Therefore, the findings of the Sumatran rhino in Borneo a new hope for the conservation of the species remaining estimated about 200 individuals. In partnership with WWF Indonesia, the local government will form a team to study and investigate the presence of the animals, to decide on precise conservation policies and programs, as well as sources of funding to support efforts to protect rhinos. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WWF | NATURE WORLD NEWS | LATINOS POST | ANTON WILLIAM | KORAN TEMPO 4186]

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