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First-Time Moms Deserve Special Attention!

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Mon, 07 May 2012 18:53:58 GMT

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This Mother's Day show your appreciation for your mom and mothers everywhere by "adopting" a rhino from the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary. Adopt Ratu and your gift will help pay for 'round-the-clock care of Ratu and her soon-to-arrive calf!

In just a month or so, Ratu will give birth to her first baby. Ratu’s pregnancy gives great hope to the survival of the Sumatran rhino and represents the world wide efforts being made to save one of the most endangered species on Earth. The expectant father, Andalas, was born at the Cincinnati Zoo and was moved to Indonesia in 2007 with our hope that he would become a dad. It has taken a team of veterinarians, scientists, experts, and generous donors like you to make this happen, and the big day is almost here!

When you “adopt” Ratu in honor of someone special this Mother’s Day, your gift recipient will receive an adoption certificate, photo of the mother-to-be, Ratu, her story, a rarely-seen ultrasound photograph of the rhino calf, and a letter detailing your gift. Please join us as we work, watch, and wait for the big day to arrive!

International donations and donations made after close of business Tuesday, May 8th

will be emailed to your gift recipient in order to ensure arrival by Mother's Day.

Thank you!

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7-May-12 1:53 PM

It's Not Too Late To Celebrate Cinco de Rhino!

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:29:59 GMT

Cinco de Rhino is tomorrow!

We're thrilled that so many friends and supporters of IRF have decided to host Cinco de Rhino parties and fundraisers. There are great parties planned from Florida to California, and lots of places in between. We only wish that we could come to them all!

If you haven't planned anything yet, but still want to celebrate Cinco de Rhino, it's not too late! We've got lots of resources available to help you put together your own Cinco de Rhino celebration. You can throw a last-minute party with friends, share fun facts, and donate to support research and conservation of the world’s rhino species.

During this one day, we’re trying to raise $10,000 for rhino conservation – and to get people around the world talking about the importance of protecting endangered rhinos and their habitats. Can you help?

Throw Your Own Cinco de Rhino Party

Hosting is easy! Visit our Cinco de Rhino page to download a party guide with recipes and games to help you plan. Invite your friends, families and co-workers together for an unforgettable party.

And, if you want to use your Cinco de Rhino party to raise money for rhino conservation, you can set a fundraising goal and ask your friends to donate in honor of the celebration!

Plus, if you want to spread the word about your Cinco de Rhino event, please feel free to post announcements and photos on IRF's facebook page!

Learn More

Take the time to share information with your party goers about how incredible the world’s rhino population really is. At Cinco de Rhino central, you’ll find fun fact sheets to enlighten everyone around!

Help Us Raise $10,000 for Rhino Conservation

Make a donation by May 11th, or host a Cinco de Rhino event to help raise funds – every little bit helps!

$25 will provide four days of food and veterinary care for an orphaned baby rhino in Zimbabwe.
$50 will employ an Indian rhino monitor for two weeks on anti-poaching and monitoring patrols.
$100 will provide one week of food and veterinary care for a Sumatran rhino at the Sumatran rhino sanctuary.
$500 will purchase a high-quality GPS unit for rangers in Southern Africa so that they can track rhinos and signs of poachers so that they can be apprehended.

Thank you!

4-May-12 9:29 AM

Help Us Raise $10,000 for Cinco de Rhino

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:06:39 GMT

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Hello [firstname],

We'd like to invite you to join the International Rhino Foundation on Saturday, May 5, 2012 for the fourth annual Cinco de Rhino celebration. Throw a party with friends, share fun facts, and donate to support conservation of the world’s rhino species!

In honor of rhinos, on this one day, we’re setting the amibitious target of raising $10,000 for rhino conservation – and to get people around the world talking about the importance of protecting endangered rhinos and their habitats. Would you take an evening out to help us?

Help Contribute to Our $10,000 Goal for Rhino Conservation

Make a donation today, or host a Cinco de Rhino event to help raise funds – every little bit helps!

$25 will provide four days of food and veterinary care for an orphaned baby rhino in Zimbabwe.
$50 will employ an Indian rhino monitor for 2 weeks on anti-poaching and monitoring patrols.
$100 will provide 1 week of food and veterinary care for a Sumatran rhino at the Sumatran rhino sanctuary.
$500 will purchase a high-quality GPS unit for rangers in South Africa to help track rhinos and help fight poachers

Hosting a Cinco de Rhino Party is Easy!

Use our Cinco de Rhino party guide with recipes for food and drink, music and games to help you plan. Invite your friends, families and co-workers together for an unforgettable rhiino-themed rondezvous.

It's a pretty easy way to raise money for rhino conservation. Youcan set a fundraising goal and ask your friends to donate in honor of the celebration!

Learn More

Take a few minutes to share information with your party-goers about how incredible rhinos really are. Share this fun fact sheet and enlighten everyone around!

For even more fun rhino trivia, check out our list of 25 Things You Might Not Know About Rhinos. Despite what anybody says, rhinos don't stomp out fires!

Thanks so much - Happy Cinco de Rhino from all of us at the International Rhino Foundation!

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26-Apr-12 7:06 PM

Savor the Earth

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 15:30:00 GMT

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Happy Earth Day from the International Rhino Foundation!

21-Apr-12 10:30 AM

On the Road with IRF in Indonesia

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 17:44:43 GMT

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Hello [firstname],

IRF Executive Director, Dr. Susie Ellis, and I have just returned from a two-week trip to Indonesia for project site visits and rhino conservation meetings. Dr. Bibhab Kumar Talukdar (IRF’s Asia Coordinator), Dr. Widodo Ramono, (Director of IRF’s Indonesian partner, Yayasan Badak Indonesia), and Sectionov, IRF’s Indonesian Liaison, accompanied us throughout the trip.

We started out with a stay at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS), located in Way Kambas National Park. All attention at the SRS is currently on Ratu, who is expected to deliver her first calf sometime in June. She looks just great and is in fine, feisty form as you can see from the photo at right. A special boma (shelter) for mother and calf has been constructed and will soon be outfitted with a closed-circuit camera system for round-the-clock observation. We also donated a couple of hand-held video cameras so that the SRS team can document as much as possible of the birth on film so that we can share it with you. Our terrific veterinary team at the SRS will be backed up by an international team of rhino specialists who will travel to the SRS for the birth and subsequent care of mother and calf. Please consider donating to help us with the pre-natal and post-natal care costs.

Meanwhile, dad-to-be, Andalas, who was born at the Cincinnati Zoo and sent to Indonesia in 2007 from the Los Angeles Zoo, is gradually being introduced to Rosa and Bina, the other two female rhinos at the SRS, with the hope that they also will breed. Fingers crossed!

In Way Kambas National Park, we ventured into the field with a

couple of our RhinoProtection Units (RPUs). A hot, humid hike through lowland tropical forests revealed signs of rhinos and other threatened wildlife, including a number of tiger footprints (right). We also visited Bukit Barisan National Park, another important stronghold for Sumatran rhinos. To their credit, the RPUs in these two parks have maintained a perfect record over the last six years, with not a single rhino poached and poaching of other species like elephants and tigers decreasing.

Our visit also provided opportunity for a number of important meetings, the first of which was the IUCN/Species Survival Commission’s Asian Rhino Specialist Group. The two-day meeting convened by Dr. Talukdar, the group’s Chairman, focused on both Sumatran and Javan rhinos and identified several conservation priorities. A high priority is to increase video-camera coverage for Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park, where IRF-supported RPUs are protecting the last known population of this species. The group also officially endorsed the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area and commended the efforts of the Malaysian government to confirm whether Sumatran rhinos survive in Peninsular Malaysia, since there has been no evidence of their existence in the last few years. Finally, understanding that only a managed breeding effort will save the Sumatran rhinos in Malaysia, the Specialist Group encouraged management authorities to consolidate the remaining rhinos in the wild immediately to maximize the chance of success of the management breeding effort.

Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry hosted a meeting of the Global Management andPropagation Board (GMPB), which oversees Sumatran rhinos in managed breeding centers. The principal focus of this meeting was the status of the small, fragmented populations that are barely hanging on in Sabah, Malaysia, as well as the establishment of a second managed breeding facility there. IRF board member Dr. Terri Roth, from the Cincinnati Zoo, also attended this meeting and helped develop recommendations for sharing genetic materials in an effort to save this critically endangered species. Members of the GMPB signed a letter of intent – a first – to collaborate within the framework of relevant national, state and international laws and conventions to share biological materials among the three holding countries (Indonesia, Malaysia, and the US). As a first step under this agreement, a permit will be requested from the USFWS to allow importation of sperm collected from the wild-caught Malaysian male, Tam, to Cincinnati for artificial insemination attempts of Suci, the younger sister of Andalas.

In a renewed spirit of collaboration, a final series of meetings was hosted by the Leuser International Foundation (LIF) in Medan, northern Sumatra, where rhino conservation efforts focus on populations remaining within and around Gunung Leuser National Park. Our RPU staff, funded by the USFWS Rhino & Tiger Conservation Fund, have already completed two exchanges for training with their counterparts in Gunung Leuser, collaborating to improve patrolling and survey methods. In the months ahead, this program will be expanded to include the collection of dung, which will be preserved and used for DNA analysis that will help us better understand this species’ conservation status.

I’ve just joined IRF this year and am very pleased to have the opportunity to be part of its dedicated team. I look forward to getting to know you, our conservation supporters, as well. On behalf of all of the staff, thank you for your continued interest in our work. Please consider giving generously as we continue our fight to conserve these magnificent species.

Sincerely,

Bill Konstant

IRF Program Officer

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30-Mar-12 12:44 PM

On the Road with IRF in Indonesia

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 12:36:38 GMT

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Hello [firstname],

In Way Kambas National Park, we ventured into the field with a

Sincerely,

Bill Konstant

IRF Program Officer

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30-Mar-12 7:36 AM

We Moved More Rhinos in India This Week!

Susie Ellis - noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 15:44:11 GMT

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Hello [firstname],

“Sounds like a plan!” is a common expression these days, one that signifies agreement of purpose and confidence that a particular strategy will work. Indian Rhino Vision 2020 is just such a plan, one that will ultimately secure the future for the threatened greater one-horned rhinoceros.

On Sunday, February 19, wildlife biologists captured four greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) in India’s Kaziranga National Park and safely transported them to Manas National Park, approximately 50 kilometers away. This operation is part of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 program, a partnership that includes the government of Assam, the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Bodoland Territorial Council and the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service. The transfer is part of an effort to build the rhino population in the state of Assam to 3,000 animals by the year 2020. Around the turn of the 20^th century, the number of greater one-horned rhinos had been reduced to only a few hundred animals due to habitat loss and poaching, but wild populations are now better protected and being managed to repopulate areas in which the species had previously been eradicated.

The four animals moved to Manas last Sunday (one male and three females) were the first to be taken from Kaziranga. IRF’s Asian Program Coordinator, Dr. Bibhab KumarTalukdar, helped organize and carry out the operation. Rhino captures began in early morning and were completed just after noon. Two of the animals were estimated at 10 years of age and two at about three years of age. Translocation to Manas was done at night to take advantage of cooler temperatures, the slightly unusual caravan of crated pachyderms warranting a police escort. All captured rhinos were fitted with radio transmitters prior to their release so that their movements can be regularly monitored in the months ahead. This was only the second time that the translocation of four rhinos was attempted in a single day, but both transfers have been successful.

Together, India’s Kaziranga National Park and Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary currently hold about 75% of the world’s greater one-horned rhino population, and thus serve as a source of animals for repopulating other protected areas. Poachers killed the last remaining rhinos in Manas National Park in the 1990s and it wasn’t until a few years ago that a return could be attempted. Since 2008, four male and six female rhinos were translocated from Pabitora to Manas.

In addition to Manas, greater one-horned rhinos from Kaziranga will eventually be sent to Laokhawa Wildlife Sanctuary and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park to increase and disperse the number of wild populations as insurance against extinction. For Indian Rhino Vision 2020 to meet its goal, Assam’s rhino population will have to increase by about 800 animals over the next eight years, representing a growth rate of approximately 4% per year. This is certainly realistic if translocations and ongoing protection efforts continue to be successful.

Monsoons will arrive in northern India within the next few months and translocation operations will be postponed until late fall. In the interim, we will provide updates regarding the status of India’s relocated rhinos. We wish to thank those who have generously supported this initiative, especially the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Amersfoort Zoo, Zoo CERZA, Denver Zoo, Evansville Zoo, Government of Assam, Los Angeles Zoo, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park, Taronga Conservation Society Australia, US Fish and Wildlife Service, WWF-AREAS, WWF-India, and Zoo Basel.

We'd love to have you join us in our efforts to conserve greater one-horned rhinos!

23-Feb-12 9:44 AM

McDonnell joins the fray over Greenpeace campaign

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:45:00 GMT

Gov. Bob McDonnell is warning a major retailer that its decision not to stock products from a Shenandoah County manufacturer could hurt the state’s economy.

Kroger has joined a growing number of national retailers that have decided not to buy products made from raw materials produced by Singapore-based Asia Pulp & Paper (APP).

The environmental group Greenpeace accuses APP, a division of the Chinese conglomerate Sinar Mas, of destroying rainforests in Southeast Asia. Greenpeace began a campaign urging U.S. grocery chains and big-box stores not to carry APP-sourced products until the company changes its practices.

Strasburg-based Mercury Paper, also owned by Sinar Mas, uses APP raw materials to make toilet paper and tissue products sold under the Paseo brand.

Mercury expanded its manufacturing-distribution center near the Interstate 81-and 66 interchange in Shenandoah County in 2010 and relocated its corporate headquarters to the site. The $21 million facility employs more than 150 people.

Mercury Paper says it follows strict policies to ensure that its suppliers are sustainable.

In a letter to Kroger CEO David Dillon, McDonnell said, “The organizations pressing for this boycott are focused neither on the best interests of Virginia’s citizens, nor your customers, and are unaware of Mercury’s commitment to environmental sustainability throughout its supply chain.”

“Mercury Paper is an important part of Virginia’s economic recovery, and Kroger’s decision will harm this business,” the letter said. “They have created jobs in a struggling part of our state through advanced technology and by bolstering trade.“

Several other elected officials — including U.S. Rep. Bob Goodlatte, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, state Sen. Mark Obenshain, Del. Todd Gilbert, and Strasburg Mayor Timothy Taylor — have also spoken up in defense of Mercury Paper.

Goodlatte, whose 6th District includes Shenandoah County, has written letters to the CEOs of Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club, Target, Costco, Kmart and Safeway, urging them to stand firm against the Greenpeace campaign.

In addition to Kroger, other companies deciding not to use Sinar Mas products include Food Lion, Hasbro, Nestle and Staples.

20-Feb-12 7:45 PM

Rhino poachers get 25 years each

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Johannesburg - Three rhino poachers were sentenced to 25 years each by the Phalaborwa Regional Court on Tuesday, according to an SA National Parks (SANParks) spokesperson.

The three, all Mozambicans, were found guilty of illegally hunting rhino in the Kruger National Park in July 2010.

SANParks CEO David Mabunda said the sentence was harsher than it had been in other similar cases.

"This is an indication that, as a country, we are taking more stringent measures in the fight against rhino poaching," he said.

Aselmo Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna and Ismael Baloy were also found guilty of possessing an illegal firearm (an automatic rifle), possession of a firearm (a hunting rifle) and possession of ammunition.

They were caught with two freshly chopped rhino horns, an assault rifle, a hunting rifle and an axe.

Mabunda said that last year 232 suspected poachers were arrested, including 26 who died in fights with the authorities.

20-Feb-12 7:00 PM

Colchester Zoo steps up security to protect rhinos from horn poachers

Tue, 21 Feb 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Colchester Zoo has spent thousands of pounds on security to protect the horns of its rhinos from poachers.

A big-money alarm system has been installed to deter poachers who might be planning to sneak in at night and saw off the animals’ horns.

Rhino horn has long been a sought-after commodity, but prices are currently almost $40,000 a kilo because it is reputed to be a cure for cancer.

The National Wildlife Crime Unit has warned all British zoos with rhinos poachers will stop at nothing to get hold of horns, even targeting animals in captivity.

Colchester Zoo, in Maldon Road, Stanway, has three adult males, three adult females and one male calf and has taken the warning seriously.

Zoo director Anthony Tropeano said: “Poachers in Africa either shoot the animal or anaesthetise it with a dart and saw off the horns. It is very traumatic for the rhino and they rarely survive for very long afterwards.

“These are organised operations with helicopters and veterinary drugs and the threat to UK zoos is very real. Many poachers have stolen old horn from museums or from antiques, but these have either been taken or are locked down securely. The next easiest option is for them to enter a zoo.”

Night wardens regularly patrol around the park, but the rhinos now have extra protection in the form of an alarmed fence, which directly alerts police and zoo staff living on site. If the alarm goes off, they can be at the enclosure in minutes.

Alan Roberts, investigative support officer for the National Wildlife Crime Unit, said: “No one has killed any animals in zoos in Europe, but there are parts of the world where they wouldn’t think twice.

“The threat is very real and Colchester Zoo has been very sensible in protecting their rhinos in this way.

Smuggler Donald Allison was jailed for a year after being caught with horn from Simba, a 41-year-old male rhino, who died at Colchester Zoo, in June 2009.

His £180,000 haul was stolen from the rhino’s body at an Essex abattoir while it awaited cremation.

20-Feb-12 7:00 PM

RARE SUMATRAN RHINO PREGNANCY AT INDONESIAN SANCTUARY

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 21:00:00 GMT

Indonesia - Scientists around the world are following the pregnancy of one of the world's most endangered species, the Sumatran rhino. At the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia's Way Kambas National Park, Ratu has just completed the 11th month of her pregnancy. The expectant Sumatran rhino's pregnancy will probably last four to five months longer. In February 2010, Ratu's first pregnancy was diagnosed but she miscarried after two months. Her second pregnancy did not even last a month. A hormone supplement was prescribed when she became pregnant this third time. Ratu is one of four resident rhinos at the 250-acre Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, which was established in the late 1990s by the International Rhino Foundation, the Rhino Foundation of Indonesia and Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry. Two other females of breeding age, Rosa and Bina, are also maintained at the sanctuary. The young male, Andalas, who bred Ratu in early March 2011 is located at the sanctuary as well. ...

IRF Calls for Support of Rhino Security Experts to Combat Poaching Crisis in Southern Africa

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:00:00 GMT

YULEE, FL- The numbers are staggering. Since 1970, nearly 90 percent of the world's rhino population has been wiped out. In the last two years, more than 800 rhinos have been killed worldwide. In 2011, almost 400 rhinos have been savagely poached in South Africa. And fewer than five percent of poachers are actually convicted. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is taking a stand against the poaching crisis through the Operation Stop Poaching Now initiative. IRF has partnered with security experts in South Africa to improve anti-poaching operations in eleven highly threatened rhino habitats in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Funds donated in support of the campaign will go toward providing rangers with training in investigative techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, communications, and rhino identification and monitoring. They will also receive scene-of-crime kits containing basic investigation equipment including a camera, metal detector, GPS,...

Vulnerable Indian Rhinos Successfully Moved to New Habitat

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 16:00:00 GMT

Assam, India -For only the second time in India's history, two female Indian rhinos, an adult female and a juvenile,have been successfully translocated from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas National Park in Assam. The two females join two males that were moved to Manas in 2008. Translocating the rhinos will help create a viable population of this vulnerable species that has recovered from fewer than 200 animals in the early 1990s to more than 2,800 today. Pobitora, where the two rhinos were captured, boasts the highest density of rhinos in the world, with more than 90 rhinos in less than 18 square kilometers (4,450 acres) of rhino habitat. To minimize the chance of loss from disease and other disasters, the rhinos need to be spread among other parks. IRV 2020 will lessen pressure on Pobitora's rhinos for food and space, and hopefully reduce the number of rhinos straying into nearby villages. Moving a rhino is no easy task. It requires months of...

Conservationists Race Against the Clock to Save Critically Endangered Javan Rhinos

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Indonesia - An international partnership is racing against the clock to ensure the survival of the last 48 Javan rhinos on earth by carving out a safe haven in the dense jungles of Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park. The species' entire viable population, living on the island of Java, is quite literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. In 1883, Ujung Kulon and the surrounding areas were decimated by the eruption of Krakatau, one of the most violent volcanic events in modern times. Anak Krakatau (son of Krakatau) remains active in the area causing great concern for conservationists. Over the next two years, the Javan rhinos' habitat at the Park will undergo improvements to help protect the species from extinction caused by a single natural disaster or introduced disease. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and its partners are creating 9,884 acres (4,000 ha) of expanded habitat for Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon, which should encourage population growth. ...

Conservationists Race Against the Clock to Save Critically Endangered Javan Rhinos

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Loss of a Second Critically Endangered Javan Rhino Points to Dire Need for Conservation Action

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 13:00:00 GMT

Indonesia – The world’s most threatened large mammal species, the Javan rhino, suffered another devastating setback when a carcass was discovered in Indonesia’s remote Ujung Kulon National Park last week. Ujung Kulon holds the only viable population of the critically endangered species; no more than 48 Javan rhinos remain on the planet, and at least 44 of those are found in Ujung Kulon. Fewer than four animals of unknown sex and age may remain in an isolated population in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam, where the carcass of a poached Javan rhino, with its horn removed, was found last month. This recent loss reinforces the critical need for bold action to save this species. “These two deaths represent a loss of four percent of the global population,” said Dr. Susie Ellis, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation. Javan rhinos persist in Ujung Kulon because they are carefully monitored and guarded by Rhino Protection Units, elite...

Despite pregnancy loss, conservationists still hopeful for Sumatran rhinos

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 20:00:00 GMT

Yulee, FL/Cincinnati/Indonesia -- Conservationists across the world are saddened by the loss of the first pregnancy of Ratu, a young female Sumatran rhino at Indonesia’s Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park. Ratu and male Andalas, brought together through international goodwill and cooperation in an effort to save this critically endangered species, bred successfully in January, and a pregnancy was announced in February. Ratu, born in Indonesia, wandered into a village just outside Sumatra’s Way Kambas National Park in 2006. Andalas, the first of only three Sumatran rhinos born in captivity in more than 112 years, 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. Three years after Andalas’ successful transition to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, he and Ratu mated. The breeding followed months of gradual introduction by scent, sound,...

Rare Rhino Pregnancy Gives Hope to Species

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT

Cincinnati/Los Angeles/Indonesia -- Conservationists across the world are celebrating a pregnancy in one of the world’s most endangered species, the Sumatran rhino. The pregnancy of female Ratu, born in Indonesia, and male Andalas, the first of only three Sumatran rhinos born in captivity in more than 112 years, is giving hope to international rhino biologists. The breeding occurred at Indonesia’s Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park after international efforts led to the pair’s introduction. The calf is expected to be born in May 2011. 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...

International Spotlight: Zimbabwe Rhino Poaching Court Case a Turning Point?

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

Zimbabwe– This month, Tichaona Mutyairi, a Zimbabwe rhino poacher with the infamous Mazhongwe gang, was sentenced to 17 years in jail after being captured during an exchange of gunfire with the police in October 2009. Although a regional court in the town of Masvingo took a strict stance, punishing the poacher to the full extent of Zimbabwe’s wildlife and firearm laws, this sentence remains a rare occurrence among captured poachers. International conservationists are watching the Mutyairi case given the highly varied outcomes in several court cases against members of rhino poaching gangs that have recently been finalized or are still underway. In previous court cases, many poachers have been released from jail escaping punishment instead of facing strong, consistent sentences that would deter them from hunting down Zimbabwe's remaining rhinos. “After so much conservation effort and funding has been ploughed into rhino protection in Zimbabwe, we look to the...

RHINOS: SPECIES ON THE BRINK

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:00:00 GMT

(HOUSTON) December 22, 2009 … The Houston Zoo’s 2010 Call of the Wild Speaker Series resumes January 28, 2010 with a very special guest – Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation, the leading non-governmental organization for rhino conservation in the world. Rhinos have existed on earth for more than 50 million years. Today, from Africa to Indonesia, all but one of the world’s 5 surviving species of rhinos is on the verge of extinction. Join us on January 28 in the Houston Zoo’s Brown Education Center auditorium as Dr. Ellis weaves a fascinating story about a species on the brink with first hand accounts from the field of efforts to save these amazing creatures. Dr. Susie Ellis takes a hands on approach to rhino conservation. In fact, on January 22, just six days before her Call of the Wild Speaker Series presentation, Dr. Ellis will be returning from near two weeks of field work in Indonesia to protect the few...

First time moms deserve special attention!

Tue, 08 May 2012 01:06:44 GMT

This Mother’s Day show your appreciation for your mom and mothers everywhere by “adopting” Ratu from the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary. When you “adopt” Ratu for someone special this Mother’s Day, you will help pay for round-the clock care of Ratu (shown here in March 2012) and her soon to arrive calf!

When you “adopt” Ratu in honor of someone special this Mother’s Day, your gift recipient will receive Ratu’s photo and story, an adoption certificate, a rarely seen ultrasound photograph of Ratu’s calf, and a letter detailing your gift. Please join us as we work, watch, and wait for the big day to arrive!

International donations and donations made after 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday May 9th will be emailed to your gift recipient in order to ensure arrival by Mother’s Day.

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:15:33 GMT

Celebrate Rhinos Everywhere on Cinco de Rhino! Join the International Rhino Foundation on Saturday, May 5, 2012 for the fourth annual Cinco de Rhino celebration! Throw a party with friends, share fun facts, and donate to support research and conservation of the world's rhino species. During this one day, we're trying to raise $10,000 for rhino conservation - and to get people around the world talking about the importance of protecting endangered rhinos and their habitats. Can you help? Help Us Raise $10,000 for Rhino Conservation Make a donation today, or host a Cinco de Rhino event to help raise funds - every little bit helps! $25 will provide four days of food and veterinary care for an orphaned baby rhino in Zimbabwe. $50 will employ an Indian rhino monitor for two weeks on anti-poaching and monitoring patrols. ...

Ways to Give

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 14:15:18 GMT

The International Rhino Foundation's success in saving rhino populations around the world depends on communities, businesses, and people like you. There are several methods by which you can help: DONATE ONLINE Make an online donation over our secure server using your credit or debit card. DONATE BY MAIL Mail a check made payable to International Rhino Foundation and mail to: International Rhino Foundation 581705 White Oak Road Yulee, Florida 32097-2145 DONATE BY PHONE Call 540-465-9595 to make a donation over the phone using your credit or debit card. MAKE A MONTHLY DONATION When you make a monthly commitment to IRF, you will help to provide the stable flow of support that is vital for our critical conservation efforts. To establish regular monthly payments on your credit or debit card, please call 540-465-9595. GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP Giving a gift membership is a great way to show someone you care and to spread...

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 15:00:35 GMT

As the demand for rhino horn in China, Vietnam, and other Asian countries increases, poaching rates in southern Africa have soared sky high. More than 400 rhinos have been lost this year in South Africa alone. Responding to high demand and high prices, poaching gangs are becoming more sophisticated, more vicious and much harder to catch. But there are thousands of dedicated, passionate rangers in South Africa and Zimbabwe, standing in between the rhinos and the poachers - and they need our help. IRF has partnered with security experts in South Africa to improve anti-poaching operations in eleven highly threatened rhino habitats in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our experts will assess the current operations in each protected area, and will then provide targeted training and basic equipment to rangers. Rangers will be trained in investigative techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, communications,...

Rare Sumatran Rhino Pregnancy Announced

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:04:05 GMT

Scientists around the world are following the pregnancy of one of the world's most endangered species, the Sumatran rhino. At the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia's Way Kambas National Park, Ratu has just completed the 11th month of her pregnancy. The expectant Sumatran rhino's pregnancy will probably last four to five months longer. In February 2010, Ratu's first pregnancy was diagnosed but she miscarried after two months. Her second pregnancy did not even last a month. A hormone supplement was prescribed when she became pregnant this third time. Ratu is one of four resident rhinos at the 250-acre Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, which was established in the late 1990s by the International Rhino Foundation, the Rhino Foundation of Indonesia and Indonesia's Ministry of Forestry. Two other females of breeding age, Rosa and Bina, are also maintained at the sanctuary. The young male, Andalas, who bred Ratu in early March 2011 is located at the sanctuary as well. ...

Valentine's Day Gift Ideas

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 22:19:49 GMT

Chocolate, roses, certificates for free backrubs; you've done it all before. This year give your sweetheart a rhino! Well, we can't actually send a rhino - their weight makes timely shipping a bit of a problem. Plus, they eat almost their weight in plants in a week's time, so there goes your garden. But, for $30 you could adopt a rhino for your Valentine and help pay for that food. We'll send a special Valentine's Day adoption certificate, bio, and picture of your rhino too. Sumatran rhinos are one of the most endangered mammals on Earth. Show your love. Bet you might even get a free backrub for yourself in return! Order before February 8th to be sure your rhino Valentine arrives in time. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, a 250-acre complex located within Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is currently home to five rhinos that are part of an intensively managed research and breeding program aimed at...

International Rhino Foundation Board of Directors

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:47:06 GMT

The IRF Board consists of 15 individuals from three continents and many major conservation organizations: Rick Barongi - The Houston Zoo - Houston, Texas, USA - Vice President Rick Barongi is the Director of the Houston Zoological Gardens and has served as IRF's Vice-President since 1998. He has been working in the zoo and wildlife conservation field for over 35 years. He has a B.S. from Cornell University and M.S. from Rutgers University. Prior to Houston, Rick held the position of Director of Animal Programs for Walt Disney World. He played a key role in the design, construction and opening of Disney's Animal Kingdom, a one billion dollar theme park. He created the first Disney Advisory Board for the Animal Kingdom park and helped to engineer the concept and formation of Disney's Wildlife Conservation Fund. Prior to Disney, Rick held managerial positions at the San Diego Zoo and the Miami Metrozoo. He currently serves on several AZA and conservation boards, has...

International Rhino Foundation Staff & Advisors

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:55:17 GMT

STAFF Susie Ellis, PhD Executive Director Natasha Anderson Zimbabwe Rhino Monitoring Coordinator Sarah Brown Program Assistant Bill Konstant Program Officer Chap Masterson, DVM African Rhino Veterinarian Sectionov (Inov) Indonesia Liaison Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, PhD Asian Rhino Program Coordinator Raoul du Toit African Rhino Program Coordinator PRO-BONO STAFF AND ADVISORS Much of the administrative and creative support for IRF is donated pro-bono (i.e., without cost) by the generous institutions and organizations represented on the IRF Board. This allows administrative costs to be kept to minimum and for other donations to directly fund IRF field conservation programs. Amira Cook The Bass Companies Laura Hess The Bass Companies Susan Murphy White Oak Conservation Center Frank Roberts White Oak Conservation Center Dana Stayton Kelly, Hart &...

Ranger Wish List

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 00:52:06 GMT

IRF is helping embattled rangers in South Africa and Zimbabwe get the training and equipment they need to stop rhino poaching now!

Purchase an item from our rangers' wish list to help out these valiant rhino warriors in their work to protect rhinos from poaching.

Ranger Wishlist

Greater One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis)

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 14:43:41 GMT

Common Names Greater one-horned rhinoceros: referring to the single large horn Indian and/or Nepalese rhinoceros: referring to the species' range Scientific Name and Origin Rhinoceros unicornis Rhinoceros: from the Greek rhino, meaning nose and ceros, meaning horn and unicornis from the Latin uni, meaning one and cornis, meaning horn IUCN Red List: Vulnerable CITES: Appendix I The greater one-horned rhino is one of the two greatest success stories in rhino conservation (the other one being the southern white rhino in South Africa). With strict protection from Indian and Nepalese wildlife authorities, greater one-horned rhino numbers have recovered from fewer than 200 earlier in the 20th century to as many as 2,850 today. However, even with population increases, poaching pressure has remained high in both India...

E-Newsletter Online Survey

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 14-Oct-09 9:00 PM
Expiration Date: 30-Oct-10 9:00 AM
Please take a few moments to give us your feedback on our e-newsletter. The International Rhino Foundation wants to know how we can best keep you updated on our news. The survey will take approximately five to ten minutes to complete.

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noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:51:57 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: 31-Aug-07 9:51 AM
Expiration Date: 30-Nov-07 9:51 AM

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12 December

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

December: We’ll end the year where we began, in India. Our IRV 2020 team is preparing for another round of greater one-horned rhino translocations, this time from Kaziranga National Park to Manas National Park. Stay tuned!

9 September - nursery

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

September: Another major focus in constructing the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area is restoring good habitat for the rhino. Much of the park has been taken over by the invasive Arenga palm. Workers created the pilot sites where we are testing two different methods for removing Arenga palm and regenerating rhino food plants. Local workers have also developed a nursery area, where they are collecting seeds of rhino food plants. They have already collected nearly 15,000 seeds from 99 different species of food plants, and have started growing seedlings. These seedlings will be used to replant the former Arenga infestation areas with rhino food plants.

10 October - Daytime camera trap Javan from Cat Tien II

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

October: Sadly, two subspecies of rhino were declared extinct: the Vietnamese Javan rhino and the western black rhino, which was last found in Cameroon. Even though both of these announcements were expected, this alarming news makes everything else we are doing to save the remaining rhinos on Earth all the more important. Photo by WWF.

11 November - crime scene

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

November: IRF launched a partnership with security experts in South Africa to improve anti-poaching operations in eleven highly threatened rhino habitats in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our security experts will assess the current operations in each protected area, and will then provide targeted training and basic equipment to rangers. Rangers will be trained in investigative techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, communications, and rhino identification and monitoring, among other topics. They will also receive scene-of-crime kits containing basic investigation equipment including a camera, metal detector, GPS, finger-printing materials, and sealable evidence bags. Photo of rhino crime scene by Mark Brightman.

8 August - Orphans Blondie with Millie sleeping

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

August: Last year, the Lowveld Rhino Trust successfully released four rhino orphans back into the wild. “Blondie”, “Millie”, “Oli” and “Sassie” were all orphaned when their mothers were killed by poachers, and since all were too young to survive on their own, our team took them in, treated them and hand-reared them until they were old enough to provide for themselves. The four young rhinos were released in Bubye Valley, where they have established a consistent home range at the release site. The four occupy the same range and are still seen together, but they tend to live in the two close pairs they established in the “bomas” (Blondie with Millie and Sassie with Oli). All four are growing well and putting on weight now that the Lowveld has had good rains.

7 July -1079 e

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

July: A total of 35 rhino immobilizations were undertaken during the Lowveld Rhino Trust rhino management operation in Save Valley Conservancy. Some immobilizations involved multiple procedures - i.e. the animal may have been ear notched, partially or fully dehorned and transmitter implanted. In summary there were 19 ear notchings, 20 dehornings and 8 transmitter implants made. The transmitters were inserted (with partial dehorning) to facilitate ongoing monitoring of the more insecure rhinos, as well as to enable rapid follow-up of rhino horns that might be taken by poachers, with dehorning done to reduce the reward to poachers.

6 June - P1020855

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

June: Work to establish the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area in the Gunung Honje area of Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia, is progressing well. (This project is expanding the habitat available for the world’s only population of Javan rhinos, numbering no more than 44 animals.) Early steps include building one base camp and four new guard posts to provide for the security of the area. Construction of the guard posts is underway; one has been completed in the Cilantang area of the park.

5 May - Tiger skin confiscated from arrested illegal traders

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

May: In partnership with park rangers and local police in Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, in Sumatra, Indonesia, our Rhino Protection Units there undertook joint intelligence operations resulting in the arrests of 7 suspects for trade in illegal wildlife parts. Two of these suspects were arrested in possession of small pieces of ivory and tiger and leopard skins; five were arrested in possession of spears, deer antlers, and two large pieces of ivory (which they had advertised for sale at US $5,000 each).

4 April - Torgamba in wallow

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

April: Unfortunately, in April 2011, Torgamba, the elderly male Sumatran rhino (estimated to be 32 years old), died at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, following a long illness which appeared to be associated with chronic renal disease. Torgamba was one of the first wild-born Sumatran rhinos to become part of an international Sumatran rhino breeding effort. In November 1985, Torgamba was rescued by an organization working to capture displaced rhinos using sophisticated pitfall traps constructed so as to avoid any possible injuries to the animals. Although he bred numerous times with two female rhinos at the SRS, Bina and Ratu, neither became pregnant. Despite several years of treatment for his chronic illness, and the best efforts of the Sanctuary’s keepers and veterinary staff in consultation with international rhino experts, Torgamba passed away. SRS vets and staff worked around the clock for several months to make Torgamba’s last months comfortable.

3 March - RPU next to replanted area

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:53:34 GMT

March: Our five Rhino Protection Units in Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, worked overtime planting rhino and elephant food plants in the park. This work is being carried out in an area that park authorities seized back from encroachers. In a large collaborative effort with park authorities, police, and local people, the RPUs helped remove around 500 ‘squatters’ from the park and destroyed about 300 temporary houses. An illegal fishing village also was relocated from the mouth of the Way Kanan River. Our team helped to regenerate the land previously cleared by the encroachers by planting native plant species that will provide food for Sumatran rhinos and elephants. The Sumatran rhino population in Way Kambas Sumatran rhino population appears to have grown to 33 animals and there have been signs of new rhino calves.

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