A new study has stated that the Sumatran Rhino is now extinct in the South East Asian country of Malaysia.
Two female Sumatran Rhinos were taken from Malaysia in 2011 and 2014 for breeding purposes, but since then, no others have been spotted in the wild in the country since 2007. This means that the entire species is dependent on a group of 100 or so Rhinos who reside in Indonesia.
The Sumatran Rhino is going extinct due to habitat destruction by humans, poaching of their horns, and simply due to that fact that they live too far away from each other. With so few Rhinos spread out over such a large area, the possibilities for breeding are minute.
Many scientists think that we have reached the point of no return where the Sumatran Rhino is concerned and that even with an increase in conservation efforts, their extinction is almost guaranteed. As there are so few Rhinos left in the wild, the risk of inbreeding is increased drastically and as a result, the already highly endangered species suffers further.
Whilst it may seem that the Sumatran Rhino is in an impossible situation, people can still make a difference. Concentrating efforts to protect the remaining Indonesian Rhinos, strengthening anti-poaching efforts, promoting controlled and sustainable logging, and working with others to raise awareness of this dire situation can all make a difference.
The smallest species of Rhino needs the biggest amount of help.
