Sumatran Rhino Caught On Camera In Rare Footage [Watch]

A Sumatran rhino was caught in rare footage on camera in Indonesia, roaming in its natural habitat.

The Borneo Island area in Indonesia has not seen the critically endangered rhino species in quite a while. This makes the footage caught on the camera traps of particular interest to those involved in ensuring the Sumatran rhinos don’t become extinct.

The Rhino can be seen in the short film roaming through the forest and enjoying the mud in Kutai Barat in the East Kalimantan province of the country. Once upon a time there were scores of the rhinos in Borneo. More recently they were thought to only exist on the Malaysian side of the island.

Zulkifli Hasan who is the Indonesian Forestry Minister said: “This physical evidence is very important, as it forms the basis to develop and implement more comprehensive conservation efforts for the Indonesian rhinoceros,” he continued, “This finding represents the hard work of many parties, and will hopefully contribute to achieving Indonesia’s target of three percent per year rhino population growth.”

There are thought to be fewer than 300 Sumatran rhinos in the wild and only a few populations of the animals, sparsely scattered. The main reason for the dwindling numbers of the species is poaching. Rhino horn fetches a pretty penny and Chinese medicine greatly values various rhino body parts.

This rare piece of footage gives hope that there are more Sumatran rhinos roaming free in the wild. It is also hoped that the practice of poaching will be dealt with to ensure the species doesn’t disappear altogether.