MoEF Announces Birth of Javan Rhino in Ujung Kulon National Park

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - The Ministry of Environment and Forestry (MoEF) has announced the news of a Javan rhino calf born (Rhinoceros sondaicus) in Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK). The discovery was made by the park's monitoring team.

The female Javan rhino calf, named IRIS by the Minister of Environment and Forestry on Friday (9/6), is estimated to be between three and five months old. IRIS is the offspring of the rhino mother Putri.

Ardi Andono, Head of TNUK, emphasized the importance of this event while cautioning against complacency.

"While the birth of a new Javan rhino calf in 2024 is a positive sign, it doesn't mean that the habitat and individual rhinos are completely safe from threats. Hunting activities, predators, diseases, inbreeding and natural disasters, have the opportunity to stand in front of us threatening the existence and sustainability of Javan Rhino," he stated on Friday (9/13).

The monitoring team managed to record the mother and baby of the endangered animal, which is suspected to be a new juvenile, in a recording on May 7, 2024 at 05:50 a.m. local time.

The discovery was due to the efforts of the Javan Rhino monitoring team, which tirelessly searches for and places camera traps in the forest every month.

In addition, there is also the success factor of the full protection area policy for all Javan Rhino habitats in TNUK so that the species can breed well naturally.

Previously, in 2022 and 2023, two new Javan Rhino calves were also recorded by camera traps in TNUK. Both were females identified as ID.091.2022 and ID.092.2023.