Efforts to save the critically endangered Sumatran rhino in Indonesia have hit a major stumbling block.

Conservationists say it appears that a female rhino that had become pregnant in captivity has had a miscarriage.

It is estimated that there are only 200 rhinos left in the wild. Their numbers have dropped by 50% from last year, mainly due to illegal poaching.

When eight-year-old Ratu became pregnant in February she found herself the centre of attention in Indonesia.

The female rhino's pregnancy raised hopes that she would soon give birth to the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity in the country.

But according to conservationists, ultrasound tests have revealed she may have lost her unborn baby.

Widodo Ramono, the executive director at the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, told the BBC that the latest tests had shown that Ratu's embryo had disappeared, leading the organisation to believe the female rhino had suffered a miscarriage.

Experts hope that Ratu will begin ovulating again some time this month - and they say they will try again.

But getting her to breed was not easy the first time round.

When Ratu and her partner Andalas first met last year, it is believed Andalas chased Ratu and fought with her, leaving her with serious injuries.

It was only on their fourth attempt to mate that Ratu conceived.

These mammals are some of the most endangered in the world.

They have long been the target of illegal poachers who see them as valuable prizes - there is a long-held belief that their horns have medicinal properties, especially in traditional Asian medicine.

 

 

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