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If you’ve been keeping an eye on our channels, you may have seen that something incredibly special happened recently. On 25 November 2023, a new Sumatran rhino was born in Indonesia. This little rhino came into the world 10 days earlier than expected, but thankfully, the Government of Indonesia has shared that he and his mum, Delilah, are doing well.
Both rhinos live at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) in Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia. These two, alongside eight other rhinos, are cared for and protected by an expert team, who have reported that the newest addition to the herd is gently settling into his protected forest home.
Growing and bonding with his mum, this beautiful baby is learning what it means to be a rhino. Just a few days old, he is already playing amongst the trees.
But not too far beyond the safety of the Sanctuary, habitat that was once roamed by other members of his species has been lost. Unsustainable human practices have damaged areas of Way Kambas National Park, degrading up to one-third of this important forest. With very little plant life left in these areas, they’re uninhabitable not just for rhinos but for other incredible species like elephants, tapirs, and tigers.
Thankfully, there is hope. Alongside local organisations, community groups are restoring key sites, planting native trees to repair vast areas of habitat and help it recover. Slowly, but surely, they are making a difference, giving wildlife more room to roam. But this action isn’t only supporting the wild forest ecosystem; it’s helping to feed rhinos, too.
The ficus tree, or what you may know as fig, is one of the plants being grown and is one of the Sumatran rhino’s favourite foods. As the seedlings grow, many are left to continue rebuilding the rainforest, and some are harvested for the rhinos living at the SRS.
Eating up to 50 kg each day, the Sanctuary’s ten rhinos require a significant amount of forage and now have an extra source of locally grown food. Alongside the browse within their semi-wild enclosures, keepers can provide the rhinos with a variety of shoots, twigs, leaves, and fruits.
The rhinos at the SRS are incredibly important as members of one of the rarest terrestrial species on Earth. Maintaining their health and encouraging their breeding is essential for the future of Sumatran rhinos.
You can help us continue to support the rhinos at the SRS and ensure there’s a secure and diverse habitat available for their species, and other endangered wildlife, by donating towards the reforestation efforts in Way Kambas National Park. And today, you can make an even bigger impact.
Generous long-term supporters of Save the Rhino have offered to TRIPLE all donations made on Giving Tuesday! Donate today.