25 May 10

Javan Rhino Census Under Way in Indonesia

Ujung Kulon National Park is conducting a population survey of critically endangered Javan Rhinos.

A joint team comprised of field workers from the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, Ujung Kulong National Park, and the Bogor Institute of Forestry has mobilized to carry out the Javan rhino population census in the last remaining home of Rhinoceros sondaicus. It is estimated that the critically endangered rhinos will number between 50 and 60.

Plans to expand the habitat and establish a second population of Javan rhinos are also moving forward.

According to the Jakarta Post, the last survey found four pairs of footprints belonging to Javan rhino calves – proof that this tiny population is indeed breeding. To assist in the survey, video cameras have been set up throughout Ujung Kulon National Park.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. Besides writing Rhino Horn is Not Medicine, I am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, the Editor of Project Pangolin, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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