The world’s most endangered rhino species, the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus), welcomed a new member in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia. The female calf, named Iris (ID.094.2024), was spotted in May 2024 alongside her mother, Putri, thanks to camera traps deployed by the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry. This sighting is particularly significant as it marks Putri’s first documented calf. Based on footage, Iris was estimated to be between three and five months old at the time of discovery and appeared healthy.
Javan Calf Caught on CameraFootage of a Javan rhino calf taken in 2021 (not Iris). © Ujung Kulon National Park
Javan Rhino: A Critically Endangered Species
Javan rhinos are smaller than other rhino species, with even the smallest adults weighing around 2,000 pounds. Only male Javan rhinos have a single horn, which is also smaller compared to other rhino species. With an estimated population of just 80 individuals, the Javan rhino is the most threatened of the five living rhino species. Ujung Kulon National Park, situated on the westernmost tip of Java, is believed to be the sole remaining habitat for these rhinos after the last Javan rhino in Vietnam died in 2009. Therefore, every Javan rhino birth is a crucial victory for conservation efforts.
Challenges to Javan Rhino Survival
Despite legal protection within the park, Javan rhinos face numerous threats. Poaching remains a significant concern, with Indonesian authorities arresting six suspected poachers in 2023 for the alleged killing of 26 Javan rhinos. The impact of this poaching on the overall population remains unclear. Beyond illegal hunting, Javan rhinos also face risks from diseases, predators, natural disasters, and genetic disorders due to their small and isolated population.
Conservation Efforts and Future Outlook
“We and all parties involved in Javan rhino conservation must remain vigilant and anticipate potential threats,” emphasized Ardi Andono, head of Ujung Kulon National Park. Iris is believed to be the third Javan rhino calf spotted in 2024. Earlier in April, another calf (ID.093.2024), of undetermined gender and similar age to Iris, was observed in the park. These recent births, along with reported calves in 2022 and 2023, offer a glimmer of hope for the species’ future. However, continued conservation efforts are crucial to ensure the survival of this critically endangered rhino.
