Javan Rhino

The Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth, with only about 75 individuals remaining, all confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia. Conservation efforts focus on protection, habitat management, and population monitoring to secure the species’ survival and promote future growth.

Key Projects Protecting the Javan Rhino

1. Ujung Kulon National Park Protection Program

  • Managed by Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry, this program ensures 24-hour patrols to prevent poaching and encroachment.
  • The park’s Rhino Protection Units (RPUs), established in the 1990s, conduct anti-poaching patrols, remove snares, and monitor rhino movements using camera traps and field surveys.
  • RPUs are supported by organizations such as the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI).

2. Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area (JRSCA)

  • A major initiative within Ujung Kulon aimed at expanding available habitat for the rhino population.
  • The project involves clearing invasive plant species, improving freshwater access, and creating safe corridors for rhino movement.
  • The goal is to increase carrying capacity and allow the population to grow beyond its current limits.

3. Population Monitoring and Research

  • Continuous monitoring uses camera traps, DNA analysis, and footprint identification to track individuals and assess health and breeding success.
  • Data collected helps guide management decisions and habitat restoration efforts.

4. Future Second Habitat Project

  • Conservationists are planning to establish a second secure habitat outside Ujung Kulon to reduce the risk of extinction from disease, natural disasters, or volcanic activity (Mount Krakatoa is nearby).
  • Site assessments are ongoing to identify a suitable and protected location for future translocation.

Supporting Organizations

  • International Rhino Foundation (IRF)
  • Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI)
  • WWF-Indonesia
  • Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry

The Broader Mission
The survival of the Javan rhino depends on a tightly coordinated network of protection, habitat management, and scientific monitoring led by Ujung Kulon National Park, IRF, and YABI. These projects aim to secure the existing population and lay the groundwork for a second, safe home for this critically endangered species.