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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...

IRF Corporate Partners

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 16:08:23 GMT

IRF is extremely grateful for the donations we receive from our corporate partners, such as rhinocarhire.com. Financial and promotional support from businesses such as these helps us run rhino conservation programs around the world, and enables us to reach even more people with messages about the importance of protecting rhinos and other endangered species.

If your company is interested in partnering with IRF, please contact us at s.ellis@rhinos.org.

Rhino Car Hire

www.rhinocarhire.com

International Rhino Foundation Programs in Asia

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:58:31 GMT

The International Rhino Foundation concentrates its Asian Programs on the Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino. IRF also assists conservationr efforts for greater one-horned rhino and is working with other organizations on a major program to protect this species in the wild. IRF programs emphasize protection in the wild and propagation in captivity or semi-captivity. No more than about 160 Sumatran rhinos remain on Indonesia's Sumatra island, where the population has declined at a rate of 50% over the past 15 years, largely from deforestation and habitat fragmentation. IRF focuses its work in heavily encroached areas near Way Kambas and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks. Only one poaching events have been recorded in the past 5 years because of the remarkable work and dedication of the Rhino Protection Units providing active security throughout their range. In the coming years, we plan to maintain intensive protection efforts while also seeking to reduce the threat to rhinos by...

Adopt a Rhino

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 23:08:36 GMT

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the most endangered mammals on Earth. No more than 200 animals survive in small, isolated forest fragments in Indonesia and Malaysia. Many of our generous donors, like Rhinocarhire.com, are helping protect the Sumatran rhino from extinction by adopting the rhinos at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary! The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS), a 250-acre complex located within Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is currently home to four rhinos that are part of an intensively managed research and breeding program aimed at increasing the Sumatran rhino population in the wild. At the sanctuary, the rhinos reside in large, open areas where they can experience a natural rainforest habitat while still receiving state-of-the-art veterinary care and nutrition. You may choose to adopt any of the five rhinos at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary for as many days as you would like, either in your own name, or as a gift for a relative or friend who...

Ways to Give

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:44:35 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 703.980.4267 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 703.980.4267. GIVE A GIFT MEMBERSHIP Giving a gift membership is a great way to show someone you care and to spread...

Levels of Support

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:43:44 GMT

By joining IRF today, you will be welcomed into a family of dedicated individuals committed to saving rhinos throughout their range states. Not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing that you're helping to ensure the long-term survival of all five living rhino species, you'll also have the opportunity to learn more about rhino conservation and interact with scientists working to save rhinos in the wild. Make a gift to the International Rhino Foundation, and you will join one of the following giving circles: Levels of Support Friend ($1 to $99) All donors to the International Rhino Foundation will be recognized on IRF's website and other publications, and will receive a subscription to our regular e-newsletter. Advocate ($100 to $499) In addition to the benefits of a standard membership, Advocates will also receive IRF's annual report. Supporter ...

Support the IRF

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 17:42:16 GMT

Rhinos desperately need your help! Contribute today and become a partner in IRF's efforts to protect endangered rhinos in the wild. Use our secure server to make an online donation today using your credit or debit card. Or if you prefer, you can mail a check to IRF at: International Rhino Foundation 581705 White Oak Road Yulee, Florida 32097-2145 A gift of $50 will enable Indonesia's Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary to provide five days of food, medicine and care for one Sumatran rhino. A gift of $100 will fund one rhino protection unit -- five rangers -- in Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park while they patrol the park and prevent poaching of Javan rhinos and other animals for four days. A gift of $500 will pay for two satellite radios for Tanzanian rangers to use to immediately report indications of black rhino poachers, so that they can be...

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Sun, 01 Jan 2012 16:01:28 GMT

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:27:35 GMT

Monday, December 19, 2011 From National Geographic: A record 443 rhinos have now been killed in South Africa this year. Ken Maggs, head of the park's anti-poaching unit, says 21 poachers were killed in skirmishes with park rangers and the soldiers, and 78 were arrested. Unfortunately, the fatalities are a by-product of the value being put on rhino horn. The poachers come into the park armed with hunting rifles and assault weapons. We operate under the legal prescription of arrest, not to shoot to kill, but the poachers come prepared to fight. They switch tactics, such as coming in by night rather than by day. And in the dark, you need to make split-second decisions, or risk leaving your family without a father, Maggs explained. Read full article here. Thursday, December 15, 2011 Last month, police in Zimbabwe reported that three suspected poachers from Beit Bridge were shot and seriously injured, while three others escaped unhurt during a...

Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:33:53 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,...

IRF's Holiday Wish List

Sun, 27 Nov 2011 23:08:40 GMT

We've made our list, and checked it twice. This holiday season, 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 for one of your nearest and dearest, and you'll help make the holidays very bright for rhinos and the dedicated rangers working to protect them from poachers. Brave and passionate rhino rangers in Zimbabwe and South Africa work under unbelievably difficult conditions to protect endangered rhinos and their habitats. You can help them safeguard rhinos and other wildlife by purchasing one of the much needed items on our wish list. Plus, you can cross someone else off your shopping list by purchasing a wish list item as a gift for a friend or relative - just fill in your gift recipient's name and address on the donation form and we'll send them a holiday letter explaining your gift. It's Easy to Give It's easy to give --...

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 20:56:39 GMT

Photo by Alain Compost There are fewer than 50 Javan rhinos left on the planet. Unless we take action now to protect and expand the Javan rhino population, we could lose this species forever. The only viable population of Javan rhinos is confined to Indonesia's small Ujung Kulon National Park on the island of Java -- and these animals are quite literally stuck between a rock and a hard place. With the species' entire viable population living in this one precarious location, Javan rhinos face a significant risk of extinction from a single natural disaster or introduced disease. IRF and our partners are creating 4,000 hectares of expanded habitat for Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon, which should encourage population growth. This will then allow us to eventually move some animals to establish a second insurance population at a separate site, further helping to expand the species' population and prevent its extinction. We...

Holiday Gift Ideas

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 18:59:37 GMT

You can give the animal lover in your life a gift that will help save rhinos, either by adopting a rhino, giving a gift membership to IRF, or purchasing one of our rangers' wish list items as a gift for a loved one. Adopt a Rhino You can help to protect the critically endangered Sumatran rhino from extinction by adopting a rhino at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, a 250-acre complex located within Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is currently home to four rhinos that are part of an intensively managed research and breeding program aimed at increasing the Sumatran rhino population in the wild. With a donation of only $30, you can feed and care for a rhino for 2 days; a $60 donation will pay for 4 days. Your donation also ensures veterinary care and upkeep of your rhino's habitat. In honor of each adoption, you will receive an adoption certificate and a rhino photo and bio to give to your gift recipient, as well...

Rare Javan Rhinos Caught on Camera March 2009

Wed, 16 Nov 2011 20:52:56 GMT

Only 50 Javan rhinos are believed to survive and efforts to conserve them are hampered because so little is known about their lifestyles.

But a series of camera traps placed in their last remaining stronghold, the Ujung Kulon National Park on the Indonesian island of Java, is providing researchers with unprecedented access to the animals.

Video courtesy of a partnership between WWF Indonesia, Ujung Kulon NP, International Rhino Foundation and the Asian Rhino Project.

Javan Rhinos Now Extinct in Vietnam

Tue, 25 Oct 2011 16:15:44 GMT

We are sad to report that a recent analysis has confirmed the extinction of the Javan rhino in Vietnam. Data from a genetic analysis of 22 dung samples, collected by the Park and a WWF survey team from 2009 - 2010, confirmed that all of the samples belonged to one individual rhinoceros. That same individual that was found dead in the park in April 2010, with a bullet in its leg and the horn removed - a clear case of poaching. The study was undertaken by Queen's University in Canada, funded by both IRF and WWF, and revealed that there were at least two rhinos alive when dung samples had been collected in 2004. The Vietnam population of Javan rhinos was only discovered in 1988. From the mid-1990s, a number of organizations were heavily involved in efforts to conserve the rhinos in Cat Tien National Park, but ultimately, ineffective protection - a problem in most protected areas in Vietnam - caused the species' extinction. The Javan rhinoceros now numbers less than 44...