Indonesia has a cause to celebrate in the midst of this chaos. Recently two Javan rhino babies have taken birth in the country. Javan rhinos are considered critically endangered and the birth of new babies is surely giving us hope.

Located in western Java, the camera traps at the Ujung Kulon National Park captured the 2 rhino babies. Named Luther and Helen, the two endangered Javan rhino babies are currently safe in the only spot where the species is found on earth. Currently, on the IUCN Red List, Javan rhinos were common in Africa and Eurasia. 

Indonesia’s Javan Rhino Babies

The Environment and Forestry Ministry of the country announced the two babies on 20th September. Antara reported that it was Indonesia’s National Nature Conservation Day and seemed quite apt for the announcement.

Javan rhinos are known to have loose skin foldings that are similar to armor plating. These one-horned rhinos can grow up to 3 meters and stand at 1.5 meters. Only 5 species of rhinos remain now and the Javan rhino babies in Ujung Kulon are giving everyone hope.

Agence France-Presse reported that the ministry had installed around 100 camera traps inside the park since March 2020. This protected national park is located in the Banten province, providing freshwater streams and lush rainforests for its residents.

Javan rhino count went down to 62 in 2013 due to rampant poaching. This same park welcomed four Javan rhino babies last year as well. The director-general of the Nature Resources and Ecosystem Conservation at the Environment and Forestry Ministry mentioned how this is an encouraging sign. This shows that the rhinos have a comfortable habitat where they can thrive and reproduce. The park currently is home to 74 Javan rhinos.

Beyond the Javans

Besides working to protect the Javan rhinos, Indonesia is also preserving the two-horned Sumatran rhinos. With just 80 left, these are also close to extinction. The two-horned Sumatrans are the smallest of the lot and native to Borneo and Sumatra only.

All five species of rhinos are on the brink of extinction. The one-horned Indian rhino, the white rhino, and the black rhino are the other 3. In 2011, we lost the western black rhino species, and the Indochinese Javan rhinos completely. Welcoming 6 Javan rhino babies in the last 2 years gives us some hope for the species.