The pregnancies of two critically endangered Sumatran rhinos at an Indonesian sanctuary have raised fresh hopes for the survival of one of the world’s rarest mammals.
Ratu, a female Sumatran rhino at Way Kambas National Park on the island of Sumatra, has been pregnant with her fourth calf for 238 days. Her daughter, Delilah, is also expecting her second calf and has been pregnant for more than 250 days.
Both rhinos are expected to give birth in May next year.
The Indonesian Forestry Ministry described the pregnancies as significant for conservation efforts aimed at preventing the species from becoming extinct.
Ministry official Ahmad Munawir said the pregnancies were the result of long-term efforts that include planned breeding, reproductive health management and close monitoring of individual rhinos.
The health of both animals is being closely monitored by veterinarians, keepers and national park officials.
Nina Fascione, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation, welcomed the development, saying the pregnancies represented an important milestone in efforts to protect the species.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies Sumatran rhinos as critically endangered, with fewer than 80 believed to remain in the wild.
The species is found exclusively in Indonesia, with small populations scattered across protected areas in North Sumatra, Lampung, Bengkulu and East Kalimantan.
Conservationists hope the births of Ratu and Delilah’s calves will contribute to efforts to rebuild the Sumatran rhino population and move the species further away from the brink of extinction.