Minister Of Transportation: Sperma And Ovum Badak Jawa Save For IVF

Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni after attending the 62nd Anniversary of the Faculty of Forestry of Gadjah Mada University (UGM), Yogyakarta, Friday (17/10/2025). BETWEEN A/Luqman Hakim

JAKARTA - The Minister of Forestry (Menhut) Raja Juli Antoni said that the Javan rhino's sperm and ovum (cells) will be stored in a biobank to support the assistive reproduction technology program (Assisted Reproductive Technology / ART) or the rhino's "tube baby".

Raja Juli at the Faculty of Forestry, Gadjah Mada University (UGM) Yogyakarta said the program was to study the genetics of the Javan rhino and at the same time increase the population of the endangered animal.

"We can study the genetics of this Javan rhino, including later we can store the sperm and ovum of this rhino in a biobank and later with the ART it can be married, like the IVF," he said as quoted by ANTARA, Friday, October 17.

The application of this technology, continued Raja Juli, complements a conservation strategy that still prioritizes the natural reproductive process in the habitat of Javan rhinos in the Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) area.

"In addition to natural ones, the habitat is repaired so that the number of rhinos is increasing through natural processes, but it can also be through this IVF. God willing," he said.

According to the Minister of Transportation, the program is also related to the Javan rhino translocation effort which is currently underway in Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK) to be moved to a safer zone.

The translocation is planned from its natural habitat to Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area (JRSCA) in Ujungjaya Village, Pandeglang Regency, West Java, which is still in the TNUK area.

"Now it is in the process of translocation in collaboration with the TNI to be naturally led, transferred to a safe place. One pair, one male, one female," said Raja Juli.

The Minister of Forestry emphasized that the Javan rhino conservation is part of the ministry's responsibility ordered by President Prabowo Subianto to maintain Indonesia's biodiversity.

"Well, the Javan rhino is one of the rare and its habitat is also threatened," he said.

The King of July also reminded the potential for ecological threats that could endanger the Javan rhino population when there is volcanic activity of Mount Anak Krakatau in Lampung waters.

"For example, if the adanyaudzubillah of the mountain in Lampung, namely (Child) Krakatau erupts, there will be extraordinary dangers. Well, the threat (badak) is extinct," he said.