JAVAN RHINOCEROS 

The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), also known as the Sunda rhinoceros or lesser one-horned rhinoceros, is a very rare member of the family Rhinocerotidae and one of five extant Rhinoceroses. It belongs to the same genus as the Indian rhinoceros and has similar mosaic, armour-like skin, but at 3.1–3.2 m (10–10 ft) in length and 1.4–1.7 m (4.6–5.6 ft) in height, it is smaller (closer in size to the black rhinoceros of the genus Diceros). Its horn is usually shorter than 25 cm (9.8 in) and is smaller than those of the other rhino species. Only adult males have horns; females lack them altogether.

The Javan rhino is probably the rarest large mammal on the planet, with only 74 left in the wild and none in captivity. And every single Javan rhino lives within the confines of the Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia, making the species even more vulnerable to extinction.

However, the population has been inching up over the past five years and the creation of a second population could soon provide the species with some much-needed extra breathing - and breeding - space. Three species of rhino—black, Javan, and Sumatran—are critically endangered. Today, a small population of Javan rhinos is found in only one national park on the northern tip of the Indonesian island of Java. A mainland subspecies of the Javan rhino was declared extinct in Vietnam in 2011. Due to the large size, the only real predator of the Javan rhino in the forest is the large wild cats, such as tigers, will hunt the Javan rhino calf and the weak ones. Humans are the biggest threat to Javan rhinoceroses, as they are hunted to extinction for their horns.

The Javan rhino is smaller than the Indian rhinoceros and is close in size to the black rhinoceros. It is the largest animal in Java and the second-largest animal in Indonesia after the Asian elephant. The length of the Javan rhino including its head is 2 to 4 metres (6.5 to 13 feet), and it can reach a height of 1.4–1.7 m (4.6–5.6 ft). Adults are variously reported to weigh between 900 and 2,300 kg (1,980 and 5,070 lb), although a study to collect accurate measurements of the animals has never been conducted and is not a priority because of their extreme conservation status. No substantial size difference is seen between genders, but females may be slightly bigger. The rhinos in Vietnam appeared to be significantly smaller than those in Java, based on studies of photographic evidence and measurements of their footprints.

Like the Indian rhino, the Javan rhinoceros has a single horn (the other extant species have two horns). Its horn is the smallest of all extant rhinos, usually less than 20 cm (7.9 in) with the longest recorded only 27 cm (11 in). Only males have horns. Female Javan rhinos are the only extant rhinos that remain hornless into adulthood, though they may develop a tiny bump of an inch or two in height. The Javan rhinoceros does not appear to often use its horn for fighting but instead uses it to scrape mud away in wallows, to pull down plants for eating, and to open paths through thick vegetation. Similar to the other browsing species of rhino (Black and Sumatran), the Javan rhino has a long, pointed, upper lip which helps in grabbing food. Its lower incisors are long and sharp; when the Javan rhino fights, it uses these teeth. Behind the incisors, two rows of six low-crowned molars are used for chewing coarse plants. Like all rhinos, the Javan rhino smells and hears well, but has very poor vision. They are estimated to live for 30 to 45 years.

Its hairless, splotchy grey or grey-brown skin falls in folds to the shoulder, back and rump. The skin has a natural mosaic pattern, which lends the rhino an armoured appearance. The neck folds of the Javan rhinoceros are smaller than those of the Indian rhinoceros, but still, form a saddle shape over the shoulder. Because of the risks of interfering with such an endangered species, however, the Javan rhinoceros is primarily studied through faecal sampling and Camera traps. They are rarely encountered, observed or measured directly.

HABITAT

Historically Javan rhinos have shown a preference for low-lying areas, inhabiting dense lowland rain forests, tall grass, and reed beds abundant with wide floodplains, rivers, or wet areas dotted with mud wallows. The Javan rhinoceros inhabits forests, marshy areas, and regions of thick bush and bamboo. It is an active climber in a mountainous country. Javan rhinoceroses are mainly browsers and often feed on pioneer plants that dominate in gaps in the forest created by fallen trees. This species once occupied the islands of Java, Borneo, and Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, and a region extending northward through Myanmar (Burma) into Assam and eastern Bengal. The last known population from mainland Asia, which was located in Cat Loc, Vietnam, had died out by 2011, and thus Ujung Kulon National Park became the final refuge for these animals.

DIET

The Javan rhinoceros is herbivorous, eats diverse plant species, especially their shoots, twigs, young foliage and fallen fruit. Most of the plants favoured by the species grow in sunny areas in forest clearings, shrubland and other vegetation types with no large trees. The rhino knocks down saplings to reach its food and grabs it with its prehensile upper lip. It is the most adaptable feeder of all the rhino species. The rhino eats an estimated 50 kg (110 lb) of food daily. Like the Sumatran rhino, it needs salt in its diet. The salt licks common in its historical range do not exist in Ujung Kulon but the rhinos there have been observed drinking seawater, likely for the same nutritional need.

 REPRODUCTION

Female Javan rhinos reach maturity at 3 – 4 years whereas males reach maturity much later around 6 years of age. The reproduction rate of the Javan rhino is relatively low. A single calf is born to the female every 4 – 5 years, the young are suckled for up to 2 years. Except for mothers and calves and mating pairs, the Javan rhino is a very solitary individual. However, they sometimes congregate at salt-licks and wallow sites.

THREATS

 Javan rhinos are found in only one protected area in the world. The biology of the species is poorly understood, but we are starting to learn more about the species ecology and behaviour thanks to very intensive monitoring of the population. They are extremely vulnerable to extinction due to natural catastrophes, habitat loss, diseases, poaching, and potential inbreeding.

1. ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE

Javan rhinos were killed by trophy hunters during colonial times. They were also killed as agricultural pests and for their horn, a highly prized commodity in traditional Asian medicine. Poaching remains an ever-present threat.

2. REDUCED GENETIC DIVERSITY

The small size of the Javan rhino population is a cause for concern. Low genetic diversity and inbreeding could make it difficult for the long-term survival of the species.

3. NATURAL DISASTERS

The coastal Ujung Kulon National Park is highly vulnerable to tsunamis, and a major explosion of the nearby Anak Krakatau volcano could easily wipe out most life in the protected area. Rising sea levels because of climate change also threaten the park.

4. ARENGA PALM

The Arenga palm has overtaken parts of the park, reducing natural forage and habitat quality.

5. DISEASE

In recent years four rhinos, including one young adult female, are thought to have died from disease, probably transmitted to wild cattle in the park and subsequently to the rhinos.

6. HABITAT DEGRADATION

People living near the park are encroaching on and degrading crucial rhino habitats. Important economic development near the park, including from (eco)tourism, risks further encroachment into the park.

Facts

Here are 10 Facts about Javan Rhinos you must know :

 

1.  All 67 Javan rhinos have names – one of them is called Rawing!
2.  They’re heavy animals, weighing up to 2.3 tonnes.
3. They live for around 30-45 years in the wild.
4. They’re herbivorous, only eating plants.
5. They’re solitary animals, except for mating pairs and mothers with young.
6. They’re the second-largest animal in Indonesia after the Asian elephant.
7. Male Javan rhinos mark their territories with dung piles and by spraying urine.
8. Scrapes made by their feet in the ground and twisted saplings seem to be used for communication.
9. The cause of their population decline has mainly been caused by poaching due to excessive demand for rhino horn and medicine. Poaching ultimately wiped out the species in Vietnam.
10.  Their food source in Ujung Kulon National Park is being taken over by out-of-control the invasive Arenga palm, but WWF-Australia is currently working to change that.

How you can help

• Don't buy rhino horn products. The illegal trade in rhino horn continues to pose one of the greatest threats to rhinos today.
   
• Use and support sustainable wood, paper and palm oil. By purchasing certified sustainable palm oil and FSC - certified forest products, retailers, traders, and manufacturers can help protect the Javan rhino habitat. Consumers can also play their part by demanding certified products.                                                         
•  Donate to Various Organisations helping in preserving Javan rhinos and other rhino species in Asia and Africa.                                                                                                                              
•  Spread the word! - Share this information with others via email or your favourite social networking service.

Newly Released Footage of Javan Rhino Babies