OUGD406 - InDesign Brief Secondary Research: Rhino

Below are images of the Sumatran Rhino which is becoming more and more endangered.

Source

Source

Source

Source

Sumatran Rhino

Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

Dicerorhinus from the Greek word meaning two; cero meaning horn; rhinus meaning nose. Sumatrenis referring to Sumatra its home.

Population: 300

Weight: 600 – 950kg

Length: 2.0 – 2.3m

Habitat: Dense tropical rainforest, mainly in the Malay Peninsula on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

Eastern 50

Western 250

The Sumatran, known as the hairy Rhino because of its long shaggy hair unlike other species which appear hairless, is a descendent of the Woolly Rhino.

Unlike White Rhinos Sumatran rhinos are browsers feeding on young saplings, leaves, mangoes, bamboo, twigs, figs and bark. When feeding, the animal moves in a zig-zag pattern, sampling the potential food items in sight before it takes in mouthful qualities.

Status: The Sumatran, the smallest living Rhino, has been a critically endangered species for at least 30 years. Today as few as 300 are left in the wild.

The main threat to the Sumatran rhinoceros is habitat destruction. Human activities from logging and land clearing for agriculture has lead to them losing their homes. Land clearing has made entry into the once remote forest homes of these secretive creatures easier. Poachers then kill the animals for the “alleged” magical properties of its horn and other body parts. The incentive for poachers is very high when rhino horn is worth 10 times its weight in gold on the black market.

The Woolly Rhino was on earth during the ice age, 350,000 years ago. Its whole body was covered with thick and shaggy coat which helped them survive in very cold climates. The Sumatran Rhino is the last representative of the Woolly rhino family.

The Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), is the smallest living rhinoceros. Over the past years, its habitat has shrunk to several isolated areas due to poaching. In Sumatra and on the Malaysian Peninsula the Western Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis) can be found, represented by 150 animals in Sumatra and not more than 100 of the continental population. The Eastern Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrisoni), an inhabitant of Borneo, was still widespread at the beginning of the 20^th century. Today fewer than 50 individuals survive.

Rhino Project

Rhino conservation: In 1995 the Sumatran Tiger Trust, in search of the critically endangered Sumatran Tiger, laid the first remote cameras in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. More than tigers were photographed: A healthy population of one of the rarest animals on earth was found – between 12-24 Sumatran Rhino. Sumatran or “hairy rhinos” are probably the most endangered of all the rhino species with fewer than 300 left in the wild. In 1996 Rhino Protection Units, funded by International Thino Foundation, were introduced and their goal? Conservation of those rhinos and their habitat. The core rhino and core tiger habitat in way Kambas does overlap. In 2003 the rhino and tiger protection units joined forces. There are 7 units now operating in Way Kambas to provide more effective and efficient protection.

There is an anti-poaching patrol in action deep in the heart of the National Park. Armed for protection from illegal intruders these men suffer intense heat, humidity, insects, wet clothes and boots and a multitude of other things and yet have a deep personal commitment to protecting the heritage of Sumatra for the future.

South Lakes Animal Park currently fully fund 9 anti-poaching patrols of five men in each patrol, working in the forests.

£4.00 Pays 1 Sumatran Park Ranger for the day.

£38.00 Pays 1 Poaching team for the day.

£250.00 Pays for the whole project to run for the day.

£1, 460 Pays for 1 Sumatran park Ranger for the year.

£15, 000 Pays for 1 Anti Poaching team for a year.