Rhino Named Musofa Caught On Camera Wallowing In Ujung Kulon National Park

Javan rhino named Musofa wallowing in the mud (Photo: Capture video screen of Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya Bakar)

JAKARTA - A Javan rhino was caught on camera wallowing and rolling in the mud near the Blok Cigenteur waterfall, Ujung Kulon National Park. The rhino named Musofa was caught on a video trap camera with a duration of about 2 minutes 15 seconds.

"Musofa is wallowing and rolling around in the puddle. Musofa is male, estimated to be around seven years old," said Minister of Environment and Forestry (LHK) Siti Nurbaya Bakar on her Facebook account, Monday, June 29.

He explained that Musofa was the 56th rhino which on March 16, 2013 was identified through video traps during monitoring activities of Javan rhinos in Block Cihandeuleum grid 35AN.

Siti explained that wallowing and rolling in the mud have a myriad of benefits for the Javan rhino, such as maintaining body temperature and body moisture, meeting mineral needs, reducing parasites, and resting.

This activity, he continued, is usually carried out at least twice a day with a maximum duration of up to three hours.

Siti explained, currently the Javan rhino population in Indonesia in 2019 has reached 72, consisting of 39 males and 33 females. To maintain and conserve the Javan rhino in Ujung Kulon National Park, a number of things have been done, including routine patrols.

"Besides that, rhino monitoring and habitat development (Rhino Monitoring Unit) are carried out, planting and maintaining Javan Rhino feed in the Ujung Kulon Peninsula, as well as various other efforts," he concluded.