 Reference Base  The conservation of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sond... |
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Nardelli, F., 1986. The conservation of the Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus): a proposal. Help Newsletter, Port Lympne 8: 6-9, figs. 1-2
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| Location: |
Asia - South East Asia - Indonesia - Java |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Javan Rhino |
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But nothing has highlighted the potential threat to this last population more dramatically than the death in 1982 of five rhinos. Investigations revealed only that they died suddenly from a still mysterious epidemic and infectious disease apparently resembling anthrax and possibly connected with the intrusion of Man's domestic animals into wild rhino habitat.
Professor Schenkel has made some excellent recommendations on future management aimed at avoiding a recurrence of this tragedy. In summary, these are:
- Careful monitoring and censusing of the rhino both during the dry and during the wet seasons;
- Drafting of a detailed vegetation map of the area paying special attention to the rhino's foodplants;
- Deliberate vegetation management so as to encourage growth of the rhino's preferred foodplant environment - open unshaded areas with saplings and bushes etc. This would mean the cutting back of certain palms etc.
- Control of the banteng population, only if further studies prove the animal is in competition with the rhino;
- Translocation of about 10 rhino to a second location, perhaps in southern Sumatra, to start a second viable population. This only to be embarked upon when the Ujung Kulon population has recovered from the effects of the 1982 disease and begun to reproduce again.
The new site to be selected with maximum care, bearing in mind food-plant availability, fresh water, clay-soil wallows, salt licks, existence of predators and other species now unfamiliar to the rhino, such as tigers and elephants, the ease with which the new site can be patrolled and protected, the attitude of the people living in or near the area.
Another major factor to be tackled, in Professor Schenkel's view, was working conditions for the Indonesian rangers and guards assigned to protect the rhino. He felt they needed field allowances to enhance their salaries, better clothing and equipment, better medical care and better training, for example on how to collect blood and tissue samples during any emergency like the 1982 epidemic.
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