Recently, a Sumatran rhino died in Borneo at a sanctuary. The death of the rhino marks the official extinction of the species from the native country. The female rhino was 25 years old and was named Iman. The officials revealed that the rhino was suffering from cancer, and the death was normal.
An English newspaper in the state revealed that the rhino was critical in several instances before her death. But due to proper care, the animal saved multiple times before. The end of Iman is a vital blow for the species, as rhino is one of the most endangered species in the world. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the Sumatran rhinos among critically endangered species. The red list signifies only one step away from complete extinction from the earth. The rapid increase in scientific development and reproductive technology remains the only hope for the species.
Current Status
There is no accurate information about the number of Sumatran rhino present on earth. Some organizations claimed that the number is as high as 80, while the World Wildlife Fund calculated it to be less than 30. Before the industrial revolution, the Sumatran rhinos were staying in the rainforests across Asia, while currently, they are only limited to the wild in Indonesia.
The courtships of rhinos are far from easy, revealed Terri Roth, the vice president of conservation and science at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Most of the rhinos stay alone, and it is not a wise move to bring a male and female rhino together, as they will start a fight. The mating is only possible when the female rhino is ovulating., he added.
An expert in the matter stated that the human’s knowledge about the physiology of Sumatran rhino are minimal, and laboratory fertilizing is an extremely complex process for such an animal. But she claimed that there is still hope for the survival of this rare species.
