Does Little Iris Have A Chance To Rescue Her Entire Species?

The population of Javan rhinos has been shrinking for generations, which is why officials at a national park in Indonesia were so ecstatic when they found a baby calf.

Putri and Iris

Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park is home to the last remaining group of Javan rhinos, so it’s only natural that the nation’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry took an active role in monitoring its population.

And when authorities noticed a young female calf walking beside its mother, a Javan rhino named Putri, they were thrilled. Experts believe that since this was the first calf seen walking with Putri, this baby named Iris is likely her first.

Early reports noted that both mother and child appeared to be in good health and Iris’ age was estimated to be between three and five months. This was the third Javan rhino calf seen in the area so far this year, meaning those working to conserve the species are cautiously optimistic.

Given the natural dangers and poaching concerns, however, officials issued a warning to conservation workers to “not be careless” and “always anticipate any threats that may emerge.”

Identifying traits

There are currently five distinct rhinoceros species living on the planet, and Javan rhinos are the most threatened of them all. But it’s not just their scarcity that sets them apart from the other four species.

For starters, they’re typically smaller than other rhinos — of course, they’re still huge compared to almost any other animal. Even small Javan rhinos can tip the scales at more than a ton.

The single horn that adorns the head of male Javan rhinos is also smaller than that of other species.

After the last Javan rhino died in Vietnam 15 years ago, the species dwindled to one community in Indonesia consisting of about 80 individual rhinos.

Chris Agee September 14th, 2024

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