Sumatran Rhinos go extinct in Malaysia

The last surviving Sumatran Rhino in Malaysia, Iman, died in Borneo Rhino Sanctuary. The Rhino died of cancer. With this Sumatran rhino have become extinct in Malaysia. Iman was captured in 2014 from Danum Valley in Malaysia.

Sumatran Rhinos

The Sumatran Rhinos are the smallest of the five extant rhino species in the world. The other rhino species include Black Rhinos, White Rhinos, Greater on-horned Rhinos and Javan Rhinos.

With the death of Iman, there are only 80 Sumatran Rhinos left in the world. All the 80 are currently in Indonesia in the Indonesian part of Borneo and Sumatra Island. Poaching and loss of habitat are the main reasons behind their extinction.

Sumatran Rhinos in India

In India the Sumatran Rhinos occurred in parts of Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Tripura and Chittagong hills in the 19^th century. However, the last Sumatran Rhino of India was killed in 1967. The species is now extinct in India.

IUCN Status

The International Union of Conservation of Nature Red List has put the Sumatran Rhinos in the Critically Endangered category.

Sumatran Rhino Rescue

The Sumatran Rhino Rescue is an international project that intends to save the species. It is being implemented by the World Wildlife Fund, National Geographic Society, Global Wildlife Conservation, International Rhino Foundation and the IUCN Commission.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2019