Enviro News Asia, Jakarta – The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Forestry, has reinforced its commitment to conserving the iconic Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) by initiating a translocation program from Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP) to the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area (JRSCA).
This move marks a national priority strategy to reduce the extinction risk of a species now surviving only in its single remaining habitat.
Scientific studies reveal that the Javan rhino faces critical threats due to limited habitat capacity, low genetic diversity, and an inbreeding rate of 58.5 percent.
A Population Viability Analysis (PVA) even predicts that without concrete intervention, the species could vanish in less than 50 years.
The translocation aims to establish a second population, improve genetic diversity, and secure the species’ long-term survival through modern, technology-based management, including Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) and biobanking.
The program is being carried out collaboratively with both national and international conservation institutions.
Deputy Minister of Forestry Sulaiman Umar Siddiq emphasized, “This is not merely about moving rhinos—it is a collective effort to safeguard the future of a species on the brink of extinction. The synergy of government, academia, conservation organizations, and local communities is key.”
The government is targeting the establishment of a second Javan rhino population by 2029 as a tangible demonstration of Indonesia’s commitment to protecting one of the world’s most iconic species. (*)
