Sunday, August 21, 2011

Rhinoceros sondaicus






Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) is one of the rarest species in the world with an estimated population of no more than 60 individuals in Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK), and approximately eight individuals in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam (2000). Javan rhino is also the rarest rhino species among the five species of rhinos in the world and entered the Red List of IUCN world conservation body, namely the category of critically endangered or critically endangered.

Rhino is believed to have existed since the Tertiary era (65 million years ago). Like the dinosaurs that became extinct, Rhinoceros at 60 million years ago has 30 types of many extinct. Currently only the remaining five species of rhinos, including two species found in Indonesia.

Different species of rhinos surviving namely;
Sumatran Rhino (Sumatran rhino) horned two or Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. There on the island of Sumatra (Indonesia) and Borneo (Indonesia and Malaysia).
Javan rhino (Javan rhino) one-horned or Rhinocerus sondaicus. There are in Java (Indonesia) and Vietnam
Indian Rhinoceros (Indian rhino) or Rhinocerus unicornis one-horned. Artifacts in India and Nepal.
Black-horned African rhinoceros horn (Black Rhino) or Diceros bicormis. There is in Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon, South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
African two-horned rhinoceros White (White Rhino) or Cerathoterium simum. There in the Congo.

Javan Rhino generally have a gray body color blackish. Having one horn, with a length of about 25 cm but it is possible not grow or is very small in females. Weight of a Javan rhino can reach 900 - 2300 kg with a body length of about 2-4 m. The height can reach almost 1.7 m.

Skin Javan rhinoceros (Rhinocerus sondaicus) have some sort of folds so that it looks like wearing a shield of steel. Having a way similar to India but the rhino's body and his head is smaller with fewer number of folds. More prominent upper lip so that it can be used to grab food and put it into his mouth. Rhino including the type of shy and solitary (solitary).
Population of Javan rhinoceros (Rhinocerus sondaicus)

In Indonesia, the Javan rhino is estimated formerly scattered in Sumatra and Java. At that time Sumatra, one-horned rhinos are scattered in Aceh to Lampung. In Java, the Javan rhinoceros, once widespread throughout Java.

Javan rhino is now found only in the Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUT), Banten. Besides in Indonesia Javan rhinoceros (Rhinocerus sondaicus) is also found in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam. Individuals outside TNUT last, was found shot by poachers in Tasikmalaya in 1934. Now specimennya stored in the Museum of Zoology Bogor.

Rhino is probably the rarest mammals on earth. Based on the population of Javan rhino census conducted by the Center TNUK, WWF - IP and YMR in 2001 estimated the number of rhinos in Ujung Kulon population ranges between 50 - 60 head. The last census conducted TN Ujung Kulon Hall in 2006 estimated the range of the Javan population is 20-27 tail. While the population in the Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, estimated that only 8 tails (2007).

Population of one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros Java) that only 30's tail is much smaller than the population of his brother, Sumatran Rhinoceros which is estimated to range between 215 -319 tail. Also much less than the population of other animals such as Sumatran Tiger (400-500 tail), Eagle Java (600's tail), Anoa (5000 head).
Javan Rhino Conservation and Protection

In the year 1910 as the Javan rhinoceros, wild animals are officially protected by the Act by the Government of the Netherlands East Indies, so in 1921 based on recommendations from The Netherlands Indies Society for Protection of Nature, Ujung Kulon by the Dutch government declared a Nature Reserve. This situation still continues until the status changed to Ujung Kulon Wildlife Reserve under the management of the Forestry Bureau and the National Park in 1982.

Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros-horned one) who live together in one main area is very vulnerable to extinction can be caused by disease, natural disasters such as tsunami, eruption of the Krakatoa volcano, earthquake. In addition, it also lacks rhinos roaming space and resources due to the invasion Langkap (Arenga) and competition with bulls.

Initial studies WWF identify particular niches suitable, safe and relatively close is Hazy National Park on Mount Salak, West Java, who had also a habitat for the Javan rhinoceros. If the second habitat is found, then the rhino a healthy, good, and meet the criteria in Ujung Kulon is sent to the new territory. Habitat will also guarantee the security of the population

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