 Reference Base  Conservation of the Sumatran rhinoceros in Sabah, Malaysia |
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Andau, P.M., 1987. Conservation of the Sumatran rhinoceros in Sabah, Malaysia. Rimba Indonesia 21 (1): 39-47, fig. 3
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Malaysia - Sabah |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Poaching |
| Species: |
Sumatran Rhino |
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Between 1981 and 1984, the Game Branch obtained reports of at least two rhinos being killed annually in Sabah. Except in one case in 1981, there was insufficient evidence for any prosecution. There has been no report of any death of rhinos from early 1985 to date. It is not known if this apparent decrease in rhino poaching might be related to the frequent publicity within Sabah during this period regarding rhino conservation (generated chiefly from public discussion over the plans for breeding rhinos in captivity). Possibly, either poachers are more careful now, and reports are not reaching the Game Rangers; or poachers have reduced their activity, fearing a greater likelihood of detection and prosecution than was the case before. The latter scenario is more likely, as Sabah being a small state, the likelihood of rhino poaching being reported will be high. In addition it is conceivable that despite more records of rhinos in recent years, the number of rhino has in fact decreased so much that constant hunting efforts are now giving poor returns to the poachers. Although there are no reliable reports of poaching since early 1985, there are still verbal reports and at times even direct evidence of poaching (in the form of unexpected human footprints in hitherto inaccessible areas inhabited by rhinos). Poaching remains a serious threat to the long-term survival of the species in Sabah. No evidence has been obtained of rhino parts or products being on sale in Sabah since the last meeting. This is not surprising, since these are quickly smuggled out of the state. Ethnic Chinese traders in Sabah are known to maintain close links with their counterparts in Hong Kong and Singapore.
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