The Indonesian government celebrated the birth of a male Sumatran rhino on Saturday, 25 November 2023. This joyful moment happened at Way Kambas National Park in East Lampung Regency.
Sukatmoko, the spokesperson for the Way Kambas National Park, directly affirmed this heartening news. He highlighted that the newborn Sumatran rhino came into the world through the mating of Delilah (7 years old) and Harapan, a male rhino.
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At 4 am local time, Delilah delivered her first male rhino calf after a gestation period exceeding 460 days. The birth of the Sumatran rhino baby occurred ten days ahead of predictions made by veterinarians and the management.
Weighing 25 kg, the newborn rhino displayed the remarkable ability to stand and walk shortly after birth. National Park staff discovered the baby rhino nursing while standing, showcasing its impressive early mobility.
Way Kambas already witnessed the birth of two Sumatran rhinos throughout 2023. As per a press release by Way Kambas National Park, communicated by Satyawan Pudatmoko, the Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation, the newborn Sumatran rhino will undergo a period in a care cage before being reintroduced to its natural habitat.
Sumatran Rhino Population Decreasing, Below 80 Left Worldwide
Before the birth of the baby Sumatran rhino in November, another rhino had been born earlier in the year, specifically on 30 September 2023. This newborn rhino is the offspring of a 23-year-old mother named Ratu, marking her second delivery.
The Sumatran rhinoceros, characterized by its two horns, remains endemic to Indonesia and is under conservation efforts today. Scientifically known as Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, this rhino species counts fewer than 80 individuals remaining worldwide.
Typically, a Sumatran rhino’s lifespan ranges from 30 to 45 years in its natural habitat. These rhinos predominantly inhabit mountainous regions, swamps, and rainforests in Sumatra.
The poaching of Sumatran rhinos presents a significant challenge and is currently a top priority for the government. Illegal poachers often target the rhino’s horn, fetching an estimated price of up to $30,000 per kilogram if sold.
The occurrence of a Sumatran rhino birth in Way Kambas is a rare miracle that unfolds only once every few decades. Consequently, numerous entities celebrated the arrival of Delilah’s newborn, with many foreign media outlets also spotlighting this exceptional and rare event.
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