Thanks to a Zoo Friends fellowship I travelled to Sumatra in May 2017 to meet and work with Sumatran Rhinos. I found I had to pinch myself a number of times to check that I wasn’t imagining where I was.
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As soon as I drove through the entrance to Way Kambas National Park I knew I was somewhere special. The temperature seemed to drop by a couple of degrees instantly, however the humidity was stifling. After an 8km drive into the forest along a rocky road, I was greeted by Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) staff and directed to my room which I would call home for two weeks.
The SRS is home to seven Sumatran Rhinos that are part of an intensively-managed research and breeding program aimed at increasing Sumatra’s wild rhino population. The rhinos reside in large, open areas where they can experience a natural rainforest habitat whilst still receiving state-of-the-art veterinary care.
Given the Sumatran rhino is Critically Endangered, with less than 100 animals now left in the wild, it is important that we learn as much as possible about this species – its basic biology, disease risks, food and habitat requirements – to help it survive. The rhinos living at the SRS are helping with exactly that. They are ambassadors for their wild counterparts, and a means for educating local communities and the general public.
While at the SRS I had the honour and privilege of working alongside the rhino keepers as they went about their daily routines. The mornings were spent hand feeding, bathing, checking the rhino’s bodies for ticks and cleaning their feet, before letting them back out into their forest enclosures for the remainder of the day.
I also had the pleasure of following the vet team around, and was able to observe the female rhinos having an ultrasound. Many discussions were had relating to their breeding successes and challenges they face in the future. The dedication and devotion to the care of these animals by all the SRS staff is inspiring. They all appreciate the importance of the work they are doing and the need to keep these amazing rhinos around for future generations to come.
After visiting the SRS and seeing the dedication and commitment to save these magnificent animals, I leave with a greater sense of faith and hope that there is a future for the Sumatran Rhino.
Taronga is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation which helps manage the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.
Taronga’s expertise has been called upon by the SRS to provide a range of support including husbandry and veterinary expertise, along with funding community based anti-poaching rangers in the Way Kambas National Park.