Sumatran Rhino
The Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is a member of the family Rhinocerotidae and is the smallest of the five extant rhinoceroses. Like the African species it has two horns: the larger is a nasal horn and the other is more of a stub. A coat of reddish-brown hair covers most of the Sumatran Rhinoceros' body.
Member of the species once ranged throughout the rainforests and swamps of much of South East Asia. They are now critically endangered, with only 300 individuals in the wild, living in small populations (four on Sumatra, one on Borneo and one on the Malaysian peninsula). Their numbers are threatened by poaching for the horn (which is highly valued in Chinese medicine) and habitat loss.
The Sumatran Rhinoceros is a mostly solitary animal except for courtship and rearing of its young. It is the most vocal of the rhino species and also communicates by marking soil with its feet, twisting saplings, rubbing its horn on trees, and leaving excrement.
At Way Kambas Sumatran Rhinoceros Sanctuary tourists are able to closely observe 4 rhino living in semi-captivity. The animals come to a stall every morning for feeding and a Veterinary check. They are habituated to human presence and not afraid of cameras.
Sumatran Tiger
The Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae) is a subspecies of tiger found only on Sumatra. It is critically endangered with an estimated wild population of 400 to 500, living in isolated pockets. The Sumatran tiger is the smallest of all still existing tiger subspecies. Its stripes are narrower than other subspecies' and it has a more bearded and maned appearance, especially the males. It has webbing between its toes that, when spread, makes Sumatran tigers very fast swimmers. Sumatran tigers commonly prey on ungulates, like wild boar, tapir and deer.
The tiger is threatened by poaching for its valuable skin and penis which is used in Chinese medicine, habitat loss and competition with humans for food supply. In some areas local people still hunt in the forest for deer and boar and can out-compete the tigers for food.
For information on Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered animals visit Edge Existence an initiative of The Zoological Society of London http://www.edgeofexistence.org/More InfoFor information on Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered animals visit Edge Existence an initiative of The Zoological Society of London http://www.edgeofexistence.org/ |
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