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Concept
Javan rhinoceros
Summary
The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), also known as the Javan rhino, 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 Rhinoceros genus and has a mosaic, armour-like skin, is long and high. Its horn is usually shorter than . Only adult bulls have horns.
The Javan rhinoceros ranged from the islands of Java and Sumatra throughout Southeast Asia and into India and China. Today, it is critically endangered, with only one known population in the wild, and no individuals in captivity. It is one of the rarest large mammals on Earth, with a population of approximately 74 in Ujung Kulon National Park at the western tip of Java in Indonesia. The Javan rhinoceros population in Vietnam's Cat Tien National Park was declared to be locally extinct in 2011. The decline of Javan rhinoceros is attributed to poaching, primarily for its horns, which are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, fetching as much as US$30,000 per kg on the black market. As European presence in its range increased, trophy hunting also became a serious threat. Loss of habitat, especially as the result of wars, such as the Vietnam War, has also contributed to its decline and hindered recovery. The remaining range is within one nationally protected area, but it is still at risk from poachers, disease, and loss of genetic diversity leading to inbreeding depression.
The Javan rhinoceros can live around 30–45 years in the wild. It historically inhabited lowland rainforest, wet grasslands, and large floodplains. It is mostly solitary, except for courtship and rearing offspring, though groups may occasionally congregate near wallows and salt licks. Aside from humans, adults have no predators in their range. They usually avoid humans. Scientists and conservationists rarely study the animals directly due to their extreme rarity and the danger of interfering with such an endangered species. Researchers rely on camera traps and fecal samples to gauge health and behavior.
Official source
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