6 CONSERVATION STRATEGY FOR SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS
6.1 Targets
The principles of conservation biology and especially the process of Population and Habitat Viability Analyses PHVA on all five rhino species provide guidelines for the minimum numbers
and distribution of rhino to ensure genetic variability for fitness and adaptability and demographic security. These guidelines argue for global populations of 2,000 to 3,000 of each species
distributed over at least five separate Protected Areas, each of which should be capable of accommodating a minimum of 100 rhino, preferably more. It is highly desirable to have two or
more Protected Areas with populations of 400-500 rhino each.
The long-term target for Sumatran rhino conservation in Indonesia is therefore to have: •
1,200 Western Sumatran rhinos Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis in two populations of 400-500 and two to three populations of at least 100; and
• 600 Eastern Sumatran rhinos D. s. harrissonii in one population of 400–500 animals
and two populations of at least 100 animals.
Based o number
Until 20
6.2 Goal and Objectives
The ultimate goal of this Strategy is to create conditions conducive to and then to actually develop viable populations of Sumatran rhinos in the wild.
In the short term 2007–2012 the following objectives will be pursued to contribute to the long- term goal:
1. Expand the wild population in Leuser, Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National Parks by at least 30,
2. Secure adequate habitat for viable wild populations in Kerinci Seblat National Park 500,000 ha, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park 100,000 ha, Gunung Leuser National
Park 700,000 ha and in Kalimantan 500,000 ha 3. Successfully breed Sumatran rhinos in sanctuaries for reintroduction purposes.
RHINO CENTURY PROGRAM
6.2.1 Expand the wild population in Leuser, Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National
Park with at least 30 The paramount priority of the Rhino Century Program is to sustain all current Sumatran rhino
populations. By providing security and other means specified in the Action Plan below, the number of Sumatran rhinos must first be maintained at current levels. Additional habitat in the current
Protected Areas also has to be secured. In this manner it may be possible to achieve a small increase in numbers inside the National Park to a total of about 250 animals.
6.2.2 Secure adequate habitat for viable wild populations in Kerinci Seblat National Park
500,000 ha, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park 150,000 ha, Gunung Leuser National Park 700,000 ha and in Kalimantan 500,000 ha
The second priority of the Rhino Century Program is to ensure that additional habitat is secured within existing Protected Areas Kerinci Seblat, Bukit Barisan Selatan and Gunung Leuser National
Parks and in Kalimantan so that populations are able to further increase. . Another option is to secure habitat in suitable Protected Areas where there currently are no Sumatran rhinos occur
such as in Bukit Tigapuluh National Park.
6.2.3 Successfully breed Sumatran rhinos in sanctuaries for reintroduction purposes
Rhino Century Program supports the continuation of the managed breeding program for Sumatran rhinos in the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary SRS in Way Kambas National Park as part of the
global effort to establish a viable captive propagation program for this species.
Since 1998, attempts to develop a managed or captive breeding program for Sumatran rhinos has been underway in Way Kambas National Park. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary SRS is
managed by YABI with the support from the international zoo community through the International Rhino Foundation. The SRS currently holds three female plus two male Sumatran rhinos; two of
these females were brought into the SRS in late 2005. These are animals who became tame in Bukit Barisan Selatan and Way Kambas National Parks for which security in the wild could not
longer be guaranteed by the National Parks and the RPUs. To date, no calves have been born in the SRS. Extensive investigation of the problem has revealed possible problems with both the
original male and female with the most likely cause being sub-fertility or infertility of the male. However, hopes are high that the two recently-arrived females will be able to produce offspring.
With the arrival of Andalas, the first Sumatran rhino bred in captivity in 112 years Cincinnati Zoo, at the SRS is February 2007, the facility is well-poised to successfully propagate the species.
Andalas has already been introduced to these young females and is showing appropriate behavior for a young male.
STRATEGY AND ACTION PLAN FOR THE CONSERVATION OF RHINOS IN INDONESIA
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