Remote camera traps have caught images of the Critically Endangered Sumatran rhino in the Leuser ecosystem in Sumatra
- The Leuser ecosystem is the only place in the world where Critically Endangered Sumatran tigers, elephants, rhinos and orangutans live in the same ecosystem.
- A survey has revealed that there are 7 – 25 Sumatran rhinos still alive in Leuser.
- Camera traps have photographed 1 male and 6 females.
- The last survey, in 1985 – estimated a Sumatran rhino population of around 60 – 70 animals in the area.
- Sumatran rhinos are under threat due to poaching (illegal hunting) and habitat loss and the camera traps even caught evidence of this happening in Leuser.
- Scientists believe that rhino numbers are too small to maintain healthy breeding populations and are now attempting to breed Sumatran rhinos in semi-wild enclosures, where they may be carefully monitored. One such sanctuary has already had a rhino baby in June this year!
- It is believed that there are less than 200 wild Sumatran rhinos left worldwide.
Want to learn more? Read the full story: Camera traps confirm that Sumatran rhinos still roam Leuser rainforest
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