Rare Rhino Pregnancy Gives Hope to Species
Andalas-Ratu love story proves conservation
efforts can work
 Ratu |
This is no ordinary pregnancy. Andalas and Ratu were brought together through international goodwill and cooperation in an effort to save this critically endangered species. Ratu wandered into a village just outside Sumatra’s Way Kambas National Park in 2006; Andalas was born at the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden in 2001, grew up at the Los Angeles Zoo and was transferred from the L.A. Zoo to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in 2007. With help from Dr. Robin Radcliffe of the International Rhino Foundation’s (IRF) Rhino Conservation Medicine Program, the then-5 ½-year-old Andalas journeyed more than 10,000 miles on a 63-hour trip by plane, truck and ferry. Prior to his departure, he was vaccinated to protect him from diseases he would soon face in the rainforests of his native habitat.
 Ratu and Andalas |
The Sumatran rhino population is estimated at approximately 200 individuals in the wild and 10 currently in captivity worldwide. Ratu’s pregnancy represents the hope for a future generation.
“We have been waiting a long time to share news of a rhino pregnancy,” said Dr. Dedi Candra, the sanctuary’s animal collection coordinator. “With help from our partners, we have worked tirelessly to keep these animals healthy and breeding. Our dedicated keepers deserve a great deal of the credit.”
"The Los Angeles Zoo is anxiously awaiting the birth of Ratu’s calf in Indonesia,” said John Lewis, Los Angeles zoo director. “We are longtime supporters of this program. Although we miss Andalas at the zoo, we are so proud to have helped contribute towards the conservation of rhinos by sending him back to Indonesia.”
In 1984, a group of reproductive biologists, zoologists and conservationists joined together to form the Sumatran Rhino Trust, an agreement bridging several countries and symbolizing hope for the conservation of an entire species. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is a 250-acre complex built and funded by IRF. It is currently operated in partnership with the Indonesian Rhino Foundation under an agreement with the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry. The sanctuary houses five rhinos that are part of an intensively managed research and breeding program aimed at contributing to the conservation of the species in the wild. The rhinos reside in large, open areas where they can experience a natural rain forest habitat while receiving state-of-the-art veterinary care and nutrition.
 Ratu |
“Sumatran rhinos are very solitary by nature and very aggressive towards one another except when a female is in estrus,” said Dr. Roth. “Through science we can determine when the female is ready to ovulate so that she is paired with a male at the right time and fighting is minimized while the likelihood of conception is optimized. It is wonderful to see the science developed at CREW help our Indonesian colleagues achieve success in the forest of Sumatra.”
According to Dr. Roth, captive Sumatran rhinos fill many roles. They represent a valuable resource for learning about the species’ basic biology which can facilitate efforts to monitor and protected them in the wild. They serve as ambassadors for their species helping to educate both children and adults about rhinos and the rainforest, and they are becoming increasingly important as a back up to the wild population as the latter continues to decline.
 Ratu and Andalas |
“While captive breeding is not a substitute for protecting the species in the wild, it is a critical part of an integrated strategy for the Sumatran rhino’s recovery,” said Dr. Ellis. “The International Rhino Foundation, through its local partner, the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, also operates anti-poaching units in three Indonesian national parks. Thanks to those programs, there has been no rhino poaching in the last five years, and poaching of other large vertebrates which share rhino habitat has decreased significantly.”
You can help to protect the Sumatran rhino from extinction by "adopting" a rhino at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary!
Comments for :
I am excited to hear about this. Andalas is only one of three Sumatran Rhinos born in captivity in the past 100 years (The other two are Harapan and Suchi, both have the same parents as Andalas. I was crushed when I learned of their mother Emi dying last September). My wife and I have had the high honor of being allowed to pet and feed his younger brother and sister. Sumatran rhinos are beautiful animals, and I am thrilled to see the efforts to protect them from extinction.
When I get the news about Ratus and Andals breeding the first time in december 2009, I felt so happy and it gave me the heebie-jeebies. It's so wonderful. I love rhinos so much, they are my favorite animals. Last year I visited my best friend in the USA. The same time I took the chance to visit the Cincinnati Zoo to see the Sumatran Rhinos. It was so wonderful. And then, a few months later, the shock: Emie mother of Andalas died. So this is a very big hope for all. Good luck and best wishes
I'm so happy that Ratu is pregnant! When I heard the news I almost cried because this is what the Rhino Club here at JIS has been waiting for. Last year, when we were in 8th grade, a group of 20 students, including myself, and 3 teachers and a nurse went to the SRS and we made videos on the rhinos and we are all so happy that this has happened :)