SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS INFORMATION SHEET 2009 Department of Wildlife and Sumatran Rhinoceros National (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis) Parks IN PENINSULAR MALAYSIA Peninsular Malaysia

Distribution and Population

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the world’s rarest animals. It is threatened with extinction throughout its range. Once found across Southeast Asia, it is now restricted to small isolated populations occurring in Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and possibly parts of Thailand, southern Myanmar, Cambodia or Vietnam. In Malaysia, its distribution is restricted to Kedah, Perak, Kelantan, Pahang and Terengganu. It can be found from lowland to montane forest, normally at elevations BASIC FACTS of 1,000 metres above sea level or higher. In the 1900’s, the The rhinoceros belongs to the order Sumatran rhinoceros was found throughout the peninsular, Perissodactyla and to family Rhinocerotidae. There are two subfamilies; the one-horned and although exact numbers were not know. In 2009, the numbers the two-horned rhinos. Today, there are five were estimated to be less than 70 individuals. A vast expanse species of rhinoceros i.e. the Black rhinoceros of highland forest (Titiwangsa Range) covering 12,000 km2 is Diceros bicornis, the White rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum, found in Africa, the yet to be surveyed. Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus sumatrensis, the Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and the Javan Rhinoceros Rhinoceros sondaicus, found in Asia. The word ‘rhinoceros’ means ‘nose-horn’, which is apt as rhinos are the only animals with horns on their noses.

The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest, weighing between 600 to 800 kg and standing at less than 1.5 metres tall. Its grey-brown hide has armour-like folds covered with coarse, reddish-brown hairs. It is stocky built with short, pillar-like legs. It has two horns on the nose, with the front horn larger than the rear. The horns of the males are usually larger than those in females. It has a hooked prehensile upper lip.

Solitary except when breeding, it gives birth to a single young. The Sumatran rhinoceros can manoeuvre steep slopes with amazing agility, and enjoys wallowing in mud. It feeds on leaves, twigs, shoots, bark and fallen fruit.

Most of rhino activities are wallowing

KM 10, JALAN CHERAS, 56100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA www.wildlife.gov.my SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS INFORMATION SHEET 2009

Conservation Activities Among the conservation activities conducted by the DWNP are: Protection of existing rhinoceros populations and habitat (in-situ conservation) Patrolling and monitoring by the RPU’s were initiated in 1995 to collect and update data on Sumatran Rhinoceros in the wild. The team comprise four to six staffs and went into the forest monthly. The locations of the survey normally is known area for rhino inhabited which are outside and inside protected areas.

Biodiversity Inventory Programme Measuring the size of Sumatran The objectives of the inventory are to compile the list of species rhinoceros active wallow found in the area and obtain relative abundance of selected species based on numbers of sign encountered. This inventory attempts to Protected Status cover all the habitats types existing in the study area. Data from The Sumatran rhinoceros is a Totally the inventory will be gathered for analysis and to be stored in Protected species under the Protection of database system at the DWNP. Wild Life Act No. 76 of 1972. Anyone found guilty of shooting, killing and Camera Trapping taking parts of the animal risks a fine of Camera trapping is a non-invasive technique that used to get RM 15,000 or a five year imprisonment. Internationally, the Sumatran rhinoceros information or to know the occurrence of wildlife in remote areas. is listed on Appendix 1 of the In the wildlife departments, this technique has been applied since Convention of International Trade in the study on the Tiger in The National Parks, done by Laidlaw Endangered Species (CITES), prohibiting (1998). Animal census indirect sign alone can be fraught with all commercial trade. It is listed as difficulties as it is depends on the substrate, the skill and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red knowledge of the trekker. The objective of using this method is to Data List (2001). get data on Sumatran rhinoceros and other wildlife.

Full time patrolling and surveillance in Taman Negara The Taman Negara National Park is given the highest priority for wildlife protection. Daily on-the-ground surveillance is conducted towards reducing the level of encroachment into the park. During the course of surveillance, wildlife tracks and signs are also recorded. The surveillance teams comprises of personnel from the various states; each patrol team consisting of 6-8 personnels. To date, there were 72 intruders has been arrested for encroachment into the national park and other related offences under the Protection of Wildlife Act No 76 of 1972.

Enforcement Wire snare impact on Sumatran Operation activities ensures the effective enforcement of the rhinoceros Protection of Wildlife Act 1972 [Act 76] for the whole of Peninsular Malaysia. Apart from the existing enforcement unit, the Department Main Threats has formed a special Wildlife Crime Unit (WCU) that actively works The main threat affecting the with no boundary restrictions in the whole peninsular and acts as a Sumatran rhinoceros are habitat ‘flying squad’. The Department enforcement strategies, amongst destruction and poaching. It is much others are, having close cooperation with other enforcement sought-after for its horns, as well as agencies (Immigration, Police & Army) to strengthen border control, its other body parts which is believed gathering of information and investigation. Public are encouraged to have medicinal values. Although to provide information on any activities that contravenes the specific numbers are unknown, Protection of Wildlife Act No 76 of 1972. All information is strictly records suggested that at least 30 treated as confidential information. individuals have been poached in Peninsular Malaysia since 1975 until 2006. Logging activity is also a threat, Awarness programme as it isolates populations in This programme focuses on improving local community in regard to fragmented forests. Apart from wildlife conservation and attitude changes to love and protect logging land, conversion for biodiversity resources. Target groups for this programme are agriculture is also a threat, as it students, youth, teachers and local communities. reduces available habitat for the Sumatran rhinoceros.

KM 10, JALAN CHERAS, 56100 KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA www.wildlife.gov.my