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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Borneo |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Sumatran Rhino |
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In recent years the rhino has only been reported from Kutai in East Kalimantan and in Kutai Nature Reserve which was specially designated for the survival of this animal; however it is believed that rhinos have been exterminated in the Reserve. In 1976, I made a trip to check on the pre- sence of the Sumatran rhino in an area north of Kutai and found two different sets of tracks. In central Kalimantan near Bukit Raya (tlie summit of Kalimantan) there was no evidence of rhinos seen during my one month expedition in the mountains. Also, according to the local Dayak villagers, there are no rhinos left in the central part of the mountain range. Therefore, the only possible solution for the survival of the Sumatran rhino in Kalimantan is to extend Kutai Nature Reserve northwards. Unfortunately, this area has a high timber value and logging concessions have already been issued, however the companies have yet to commence logging operations. Under these circumstances, it is imperative that conservationists throughout the world make a concerted effort to safeguard the Sumatran rhino as soon as possible. This means that action must be taken to revoke the logging concession, enforce strict penalties on rhino and timber poacliers, and to make sincere appeals to the Dayak people to preserve this threatened animal in one of its last refuges in Southeast Asia.
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Sumatran rhino in Kalimantan (Borneo)
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