CONSERVATION OF THE ASIAN RHINO

The Indian Rhino Rhinoceros unicornis (population 2400), The Sumatran Rhino Dicerorhinus sumatrensis (population 300) and the Javan Rhino Rhinoceros sondaicus (population 60) are all seriously endangered due to habitat loss and poaching. Both the Indian and Sumatran Rhino have captive breeding programs in place, however out of 40 Sumatran Rhinos brought in from the wild, only seven remain and just one animal has reproduced in captivity in the past century. Because the numbers of Javan Rhinos are so low in the wild, zoos do not hold the species at all. These animals need serious help now!

BACKGROUND TO THE ASIAN RHINO PROJECT

The Indian Rhinoceros also known as the greater one horned rhino is one of the worlds more successful conservation programs thanks to the Nepalese and Indian government protection programs. They have come back from the brink of extinction where their numbers were lower than 200 in the early 20th century. However, they remain endangered and rely heavily on conservation efforts to maintain their populations. Usually a solitary animal, these one horned rhinos are found in flood-plain grasslands and woodlands in Nepal and India and along with the White Rhino of Africa are one of the largest of the five rhinoceros species.

The appallingly low population of the Javan Rhinoceros renders this critically endangered species as the rarest rhino in the world! Although its population is lower than the Sumatran Rhino, the Javan Rhino is considered in a stronger position as the majority of the population is protected in a National Park in Java, allowing the population to maintain numbers only. This one horned species is currently only found in the dense lowland tropical rainforest of Java with a small population also said to inhabit Vietnam. The Javan Rhino also known as the lesser one horned rhinoceros is similar to the Indian Rhino with "riveted" looking skin folds however is smaller. It too has only one horn, although the female's horn is much smaller or virtually non-existent.

Indian Rhinoceros Photo by Brooke Squires

Javan Rhinoceros Photo by Alain Compost

Sumatran Rhinos are considered the most highly endangered species of rhino in the world. Highly fragmented populations scattered across the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and on the Malay Peninsula form many small nonviable populations. The Sumatran Rhino's habitat consists of dense tropical forest (both highland and lowland) and it has been recorded at altitudes of up to 6,500 feet. A solitary animal, this species is the only two-horned rhino of the Asian species. Its hide is red in colour with a hairy coat and it is sometimes referred to the 'Asian Hairy Rhinoceros'. The smallest of the rhino species, another nick-name for these rhino is the 'Pygmy Rhino'. This species is the closest living relative of the extinct 'Woolly Rhinoceros'.

Sumatran Rhinoceros Photo by Kerry Crosbie

Threats

Conservation The Asian Rhino Project

The Asian Rhino Project (ARP) is a non-profit, volunteer organisation raising awareness and support for the three Asian rhinoceros species. The ARP was founded in 2003 by Kerry Crosbie and a small group of fellow Zoo Keepers. In November 2003, a devastating event occurred. One of the four captive breeding program centers (Sungai Dusun Sumatran Rhino Breeding Center) lost their whole population of captive Sumatran Rhino due to a devastating illness which wiped them out within two weeks. The current captive population of this species now stood at 8. Not a great record from a population of 40 founding individuals. After hearing the news of this terrible disaster and learning more about the plight of the Sumatran Rhino, ARP Patron Peter Hall contacted us and wanted to help. He donated $10,000 immediately to assist us in our mission and has continued to contribute to Sumatran Rhino conservation ever since. His company Hunter Hall Investment Management Limited is now our major corporate sponsor. With them on board, the Asian Rhino Project has been able to grow and we have not been able to stop the ball rolling since.

Historically all three species of rhino were found throughout Asia in large numbers � now their populations are much smaller and highly fragmented due to poaching and habitat loss. Rhino horn reaches high prices on the black market and is well sort after for traditional Asian medicines as well as Yemen dagger handles. Although Asia�s forests are diminishing at a freighting rate, poaching is the rhino�s greatest threat, and as a result these animals are seriously threatened with extinction. The total population of the three Asian rhinoceros species together is less than the endangered black rhino of Africa alone! Habitat loss through logging and agriculture isolates these animals from each other decreasing genetic viability and opportunity for these animals to reproduce.

Sumatran Rhinoceros Horn Photo Kerry Crosbie

Conservation of this flagship species in the wild not only ensure there will be rhino around for future generations, but will also assist to ensure the survival of other threatened species of Asia�s rainforests. This will only be possible with immediate rhino protection in core rhino areas imitating successful rhino sanctuaries and habitats similar to African efforts for the white and black rhino programs. The cessation of the illegal trade in rhino horn, the conservation and extension of rhino habitat, and increase of rhino populations in protected areas are all vital aspects of Asian rhino conservation. None of this can be achieved without the support of local communities and governments � only when the survival of the rhino are considered a benefit to local people will the conservation of these species

be successful. We need to work to ensure the Asian rhino become a part of Asia�s national heritage; hence an assault on their rhino is an assault on the heritage of Asia. Strict law enforcement is critical for the survival of these animals. Significant funds are required to accomplish these goals. The Asian Rhino Specialist Group estimated these costs at $33 million US dollars for the period of 1996-2000 in the most current IUCN Asian Rhino Action Plan (1997). There is no updated Action Plan to date.

Rhinoceros Habitat Photo by Kerry Crosbie

Our Mission

The Asian Rhino Project�s Role in Asian Rhino Conservation Rhino Protection Units (RPU) provide protection in rhino habitats patrolling for signs of illegal encroachment, removing lethal snares and filling in pit traps as well as monitor and record all signs of rhinos in their habitat. The ARP has supported fellow NGO SOS Rhino RPU teams providing them with essential equipment to carry out these operations. Such equipment consists of satellite phones, handheld GPS units, digital cameras, uniforms, diesel generators and a 15hp outboard motor for river patrol camps in Borneo. Further ARP support to SOS Rhino and partners has been committed for the construction of urgent fencing required to control human/rhino conflicts in Dudhwa National Park, India. Such conflicts are detrimental to rhino conservation and require urgent attention. Commitment to investigations into the illegal trade in rhino horn are essential to enable successful law enforcement by establishing exactly where the rhino horn is being traded, how it is being transported from rhino habitats to markets and identifying individuals facilitating such trade. Strategic sting operations through incentive programs are required. The ARP is assisting the Wildlife Trust of India to carry out such an investigation. An important project which aims to reduce and suppress the illegal trade in rhino horn. The ARP also supports a community education program being carried out by the Wannamedia Lestari Foundation documentary program. We are providing essential equipment required for the educational side of this program supplying them with a data projector, DVD player, and generator set. This equipment will enable a set of three educational videos about the flagship species: the Sumatran rhino, Javan rhino, Sumatran orangutan and the babirusa to be presented to local communities surrounding the

The mission of the Asian Rhino Project is to raise awareness and provide support for the Conservation of the three highly endangered Asian Rhinoceros species � the Sumatran Rhino, the Javan Rhino and the Indian Rhino. We are able to do this through actively seeking funding from donors, corporate sponsors and memberships, the sales of merchandise, and funds raised through events and educational programs. These funds contribute to programs in-situ through partnerships formed with non-profit conservation organisations in the field as well as ARP initiatives such as our PhD rhino research program in collaboration with Murdoch University, Australia.

We are very fortunate to currently receive funding for all administrative costs from a single donor ensuring that 100% of donations and funds raised are directly committed to the Conservation of this flagship species.

Rhinoceros Hoof Print Photo by Kerry Crosbie

Patron Peter Hall has continued to commit to Sumatran rhino conservation in Sumatra, contributing ongoing funds to the International Rhino Foundation and their partners to upgrade the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park, rescue doomed rhino identified in the Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra to this sanctuary, and employ a Sumatran rhino specialist veterinarian DR Robin Radcliffe to work alongside local veterinarians working to replicate recent breeding success at Cincinnati Zoological Gardens. Peter has also committed to fund all administrative and operational costs of our organisation for three years up to year 2007. This vital support allows 100% of all funds raised and donated to the ARP to be contributed to Asian rhino conservation.

Kerry Crosbie and Peter Hall with the RPU team Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra 2005.

rhino habitats. Each species film is created to target three separate audiences � one aimed at school children, another specifically for the general public and the last, official policy makers. The aim is to provide the local communities with awareness of the growing threat to Indonesia�s biodiversity. To ensure that the ARP continues to grow and reach its goals and objectives, we will need to branch out to reach a wider range of donors and contributors. We plan to launch our organisation Australia wide and open branches in NSW, Victoria, SA, NT and QLD. To do this we will need to set a strategic marketing plan in place, which will:

1. Attract and identify willing participants and specialists to co-ordinate activities in each state and to contribute to our cause.

2. Reach out to corporate entities for sponsorship (monetary and in-kind support) 3. Attract professional conservation organisations for mutually beneficial alliances 4. Communicate the ARP�s objectives to active and latent public involved in this issue.

This exciting project will contribute greatly to ensuring the success of the ARP and its vital conservation projects.

Finally, in collaboration with Murdoch University, Australia, the ARP has initiated a PhD project focusing on veterinary issues facing rhinos both in-situ and ex-situ. This rhino research will have a direct focus on the effects of captive management in respect to relocation or reintroduction of rhino back into their natural habitat. Broad areas of focus will be advertised for a PhD veterinary student within Australia � the areas identified are parasitology, nutrition and reproduction. In November 2003, a devastating event occurred where ½ of the worlds captive Sumatran rhino population was wiped out (7 rhino) in a period of two weeks. Two rhino died of known disease, however, preliminary reports are yet to confirm if the remaining 5 deaths which appear to be either a result of E-coli or parasite infestation of trypanosomes. Murdoch University is currently in the process of analysing rhino tissue samples in

The team ultra sounding the female Sumatran Rhinoceros at Way Kambas Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Sumatra.

an attempt to identify trypanosomes found in the deceased rhino. Such studies are vital to determine effects of disease in wild verses captive rhino complimenting projects such as the Kerinci Seblat rhino rescue program and the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary at Way Kambas, Sumatra.