A Sumatran rhinoceros born in Indonesia has given renewed hope to environmentalists looking to save the critically endangered species.

The female calf was born on western Sumatra island on Thursday — just the fifth rhino of its kind born in a breeding facility.

Ratu, whose name means “Queen” in Indonesian, gave birth to the female calf at a rhino sanctuary in the Way Kambas National Park on the island of Sumatra.

Sumatran rhino, the critically endangered species, which has been almost wiped out in the wild by poaching and habitat destruction.

It has been said that Sumatran rhinos are extremely rare, with just 100 believed to exist worldwide.

The newborn, who has not yet been named, weighed about 45 pounds, and within hours was walking around and nursing from her mother.

Susie Ellis, the head of the International Rhino Foundation, said their scarcity in the wild made this birth “extremely significant”.

“Every birth counts,” she said.

“One birth doesn’t save the species, but it’s one more Sumatran rhino.”

The new arrival for 15-year-old Ratu, and her mate, Andalas, follows the couple’s first baby Andatu, who made history in 2012 as the first rhino born in captivity in Indonesia in more than a century.

The newborn calf will remain under 24-hour observation in the sanctuary for six or seven years before being ready to mate.

“We need to have a strong commitment, not only in Indonesia, but around the world, to protecting and making sure these species stay alive,” said ministry representative Novrizal Kahar.

0 --Advertisement--