In this undated photo released by the Indonesian Rhino Foundation locally known as Yayasan Badak Indonesia or YABI and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), male Sumatran rhino Andalas, right, wallows in a mud pool with his mate Ratu at Way Kambas Rhino Reservation in Lampung, Indonesia. (Indonesian Rhino Foundation / International Rhino Foundation) |
An endangered Sumatran rhinoceros, whose pregnancy was hailed by conservationists, has miscarried, an Indonesian veterinarian said Sunday, adding that experts hoped she might still give birth someday.
Conservationists will learn what they can from the failed pregnancy of a rhino named Ratu. Her baby would have been only the fifth know born in captivity.
"We regret the loss ... but we are going to work hard in order for Ratu and Andalas to mate again," said Andriansyah, a veterinarian at Indonesia's Sumatra Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park on Sumatra Island. Andriansyah uses only one name, which is common in Indonesia.
There are only an estimated 200 Sumatran rhinos remaining in the wilds in Indonesia and Malaysia, which is half the number of 15 years ago. Another 10 live in captivity, including Ratu and her mate Andalas and three others at Indonesia's rhino sanctuary.
Ratu was born in the wild and later captured. She was mated with Andalas, one of the only four Sumatran rhinos known to have been born in captivity. The first was at the Calcutta Zoo in 1889; three more were born at the Cincinnati Zoo, including 9-year-old Andalas.
Sumatran rhinos are the world's smallest rhino species, standing little more than 4 feet (120 centimeters) at the shoulder.
"Conservationists across the world are saddened by the loss of the first pregnancy of Ratu," said a statement on the World Zoo Today Web site, after she miscarried last week.
No comments:
Post a Comment