The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park has confirmed that two female Sumatran rhinos, Ratu and Delilah, are pregnant, offering fresh hope for the survival of the critically endangered species.
The Sumatran rhino species is currently classified as Critically Endangered. Its wild population is estimated to number no more than 80 individuals, distributed across the Mount Leuser area, Way Kambas National Park, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, and East Kalimantan.
Consequently, the pregnancies of these two Sumatran rhinos represent a significant achievement in efforts to save the species and serve as welcome news coinciding with World Rhino Day, observed on the 22nd of September.
Ahmad Munawir, the Director of Species and Genetic Conservation at the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, noted that this news is significant not only for Indonesia but also represents a crucial development for global Sumatran rhino conservation. He also emphasised that his team continues to strive to save the species from extinction.
“The pregnancies of these two Sumatran rhino calves are good news not just for Indonesia, but for the world. They underscore that the pregnancies of these two females are part of a long-term effort to ensure the survival of the Sumatran rhino population through planned breeding, reproductive health management, and intensive individual monitoring,” Munawir said on Sunday, the 4th of October.
Currently, Ratu’s pregnancy with the male Andalas has reached 238 days (approximately 7.9 months) for her fourth calf, while Delilah, paired with Harapan, is at 251 days (approximately 8.3 months) into her pregnancy for her second calf.
For context, the breeding programme at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park is a collaborative effort between the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry, represented by the Way Kambas National Park Authority, and the Rhino Foundation of Indonesia (Yayasan Badak Indonesia or YABI). The initiative involves housing the rhinos in a natural habitat while minimising human interaction.
The gestation period for Sumatran rhinos lasts between 15 and 16 months, and to date, the sanctuary’s breeding programme has successfully produced five calves since the year 2012.
Jansen Manangsang, the Chairman of YABI, underscored the commitment of the medical team and management to overseeing the pregnancies through to delivery.
“We, along with the Way Kambas National Park Authority, are committed to continuously monitoring the mother’s health, the progression of the pregnancy, and the mother’s readiness leading up to the birth. The SRS medical team will conduct intensive monitoring to ensure that Ratu and Delilah navigate their pregnancies successfully and give birth to healthy calves,” he said.