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The Sumatran Rhino is disappearing
Time is running short to save this species from extinction
Thousands of Sumatran rhinos once roamed throughout Southeast Asia. But in the past decade, their numbers have dwindled to fewer than 80. If we don’t act now, we could lose this species forever.
The Problem
Decades of poaching and habitat loss have cut the number of Sumatran rhinos to just 80, who cling to survival in remote populations on two Indonesian islands. Their biggest threat now is isolation, and the odds of adult rhinos finding compatible mates in the wild are dwindling.
Help Protect Sumatran Rhinos
Our critical work to save Sumatran rhinos is made possible by support from donors like you. With your help, we're working to save these and other threatened species — and the habitats they need to survive. Together, we can secure a future for Sumatran rhinos and threatened species all over the world.
vanishing populations
Divided by land and sea, 10 subpopulations of Sumatran rhinos scattered across Indonesia are the species’ last hope for survival.
Sumatran rhino
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Height:
3.3–5 feet
Weight:
1,320–2,090 pounds
RHINOCEROS COLLAPSE
The number of Sumatran rhinos has dropped
an estimated 70 percent in the past two
decades, mostly due to poaching. Fewer than
a hundred remain in Indonesia, in isolated
pockets. Sumatran rhinos are solitary creatures.
They’re small compared with other rhino
species, and females give birth about every
three to five years.
asia
pacific
Ocean
Historic range
pacific
Ocean
Indonesia
aus.
Low Birth Rate
Small populations mean the Sumatran rhino’s
potential to reproduce is diminished, putting it
at a higher risk for extinction.
Out of Sight
Sumatran rhinos live in remote areas, so
sightings are rare and population figures are
often disputed. Camera traps are the primary
source of documentation.
A Species in Jeopardy
Isolation is the biggest threat to
Sumatran rhinos. In 2015 they were
declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia.
SUMATRA
Less than 75 rhinos
10 subpopulations or clusters
Thailand
Singapore
Wild rhino population
Park or reserve
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
In captivity
7 (3 males, 4 females)
3
LEUSER ECOSYSTEM
Less than 50 rhinos
6 subpopulations
1
BUKIT BARISAN
SELATAN N.P.
Less than 5 rhinos
2 subpopulations
WAY KAMBAS N.P.
Less than 20 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
In captivity
1 (1 female, not reproductively viable)
Wild rhino population
Brunei
Park or reserve
Celebes
Sea
Java Sea
INDONESIAN BORNEO
Less than 10 rhinos
Rhinos have been seen in the Kutai Barat and Mahakam Ulu Regencies, with other rumored sightings by locals.
Lauren E. James, Clare Trainor, NGM Staff
Art: Joe McKendry
Sources: Global forest watch; Protected
planet; Global wildlife Conservation;
International Rhino Foundation; World
wildlife Fund; IUCN Species Survival Commission
The Leuser Ecosystem
Out of Sight
Gulf of
Thailand
Sumatran rhinos live in remote areas, so sightings are rare and population figures are often disputed. Camera traps are the primary source of documentation.
This mountainous tropical rain forest is home to several small, scattered populations of Sumatran rhinos.
Tabin Wildlife Reserve
In captivity
1 (1 female, not reproductively viable)
Royal Belum
State Park
Brunei
Bandar Seri Begawan
Gunung Leuser N.P.
Taman Negara N.P.
Danum Valley Conservation Area
LEUSER
ECOSYSTEM
Less than 50 rhinos
6 subpopulations
Kuala Lumpur
Lake
Toba
Celebes Sea
Singapore
SUMATRA
Less than 75 rhinos
10 subpopulations
or clusters
WAY KAMBAS N.P.
Less than 20 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Kerinci Seblat N.P.
Last record of
wild rhino: 2004
asia
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary
Historic range
Low Birth Rate
In captivity
7 (3 males,4 females)
pacific
Ocean
pacific
Ocean
BUKIT BARISAN
SELATAN N.P.
Less than 5 rhinos
2 subpopulations
Small populations mean the Sumatran rhino’s potential to reproduce is diminished, putting it at a higher risk for extinction.
Java Sea
Indonesia
Jakarta
aus.
RHINOCEROS COLLAPSE
A Species in Jeopardy
Height:
3.3–5 feet
Isolation is the biggest threat to
Sumatran rhinos. In 2015 they were
declared extinct in the wild in Malaysia.
The number of Sumatran rhinos has dropped an estimated 70 percent in the past two decades, mostly due to poaching. Fewer than a hundred remain in Indonesia, in isolated pockets. Sumatran rhinos are solitary creatures. They’re small compared with other rhino species, and females give birth about every three to five years.
Sumatran rhino
Wild rhino population
(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
Last observed wild rhino location
Park or reserve
Weight:
1,320–2,090 pounds
Lauren E. James, Clare Trainor, NGM Staff. Art: Joe McKendry
Sources: Global forest watch; Protected planet; Global wildlife Conservation; International Rhino Foundation; World wildlife Fund; IUCN Species Survival Commission
How We're Helping
In 2018, an alliance of conservation organizations, including the National Geographic Society, joined together to support the government of Indonesia’s national Sumatran rhino conservation breeding effort. This rescue effort will relocate rhinos and build facilities for their care and breeding in order to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
Build CapAcity
Establish two new Sumatran rhino sanctuaries in Indonesia, one in Indonesian Borneo and the other in northern Sumatra, and expand the existing facility in Way Kambas National Park.
Search and Rescue
Find as many rhinos as possible living in small, isolated populations in Indonesia and relocate them to managed conservation breeding facilities nearby.
Protect and Breed
Incorporate the rhinos into a single conservation breeding program that uses state-of-the-art veterinary and husbandry care to maximize population growth.
You Can Help Save the Rhinos
Together, we can secure a future for Sumatran rhinos and threatened species all over the world.
The Sumatran rhino is a species in crisis. Managed breeding and intensive protection will be critical if we are to save this species.
Jane Goodall PhD, DBE
Founder, the Jane Goodall Institute, & UN Messenger of Peace
Sumatran Rhino Rescue Partners
Photographs by: Joel Sartore, National geographic (TOP); colby bishop, NGS (Build Capacity); Terry Whittaker, Alamy (search and rescue); Courtesy Barney Long, Global Wildlife Conservation (protect and breed); Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photo Ark (above)