Save Javan Rhinos From Extinction! Ministry of Forestry Ready To Translocate To Second Habitat

A newborn Javan rhinoceros calf was captured on a camera trap in Ujung Kulon National Park. ANTARA/HO-KLHK/am

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Forestry (Kemenhut) is preparing to implement a translocation program for Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus) from Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) to a new location within the same area.

This step is part of a long-term strategy to save this endangered species, with the target of establishing a second population by 2029.

"This is not just about moving rhinos, but a collective effort to save the future of a species on the brink of extinction. Synergy between the government, academics, conservation institutions, and the community is key," said Deputy Minister of Forestry Sulaiman Umar Siddiq in Jakarta, Antara News Agency, Friday, August 22.

Sulaiman emphasized that the government is targeting the establishment of a second population of Javan rhinos by 2029 as a demonstration of Indonesia's commitment to protecting the world's iconic animal.

The translocation program will be carried out from the Javan rhino's natural habitat on the Ujung Kulon Peninsula to the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area (JRSCA) located in Ujungjaya Village, Pandeglang Regency, Banten. Despite being located in the same area, the distance between the two locations is approximately 14 kilometers and requires crossing water.

This measure was chosen in response to scientific studies showing that the species faces significant threats due to limited habitat carrying capacity, low genetic diversity, and a high rate of inbreeding, reaching 58.5 percent.

Based on a Population Viability Analysis (PVA), without active intervention, the Javan rhinoceros could become extinct in less than 50 years.

The Ministry of Forestry stated that establishing a second population through translocation will improve genetic variation, reduce the risk of ecological disaster in one location, and open up opportunities for the application of assisted reproductive technology (ART) and biobanking.

This program involves collaboration between the Ministry of Forestry, the UKNP, and several national and international conservation partners.

An initial translocation simulation was conducted last May, in collaboration with the 1st Marine Artillery Transport Amphibious Vehicle Battalion (Yonkapa 1). They tested the use of the K-61 Ranpur Kapa to carry the rhino cage across the sea, in preparation for a safe and efficient transfer.