header: Sumatran Rhinoceros
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line Dicerorhinus sumatrensis ( Fischer, 1814 )

POPULATION

The Sumatran Rhinoceros may be the most critically endangered of the Asian Rhinos.20 The total population is very low with a high rate of decline (estimated at up to 50% over the last 10 years). There is no indication that t he situation is stabilizing and the captive population is not reproducing at all.20 Although estimates of Sumatran Rhino numbers have increased since 1964, it is most probable that differences between estimates reflect impro vement in survey techniques or inclusion of areas previously unsurveyed (table 1). Reportedly common in Borneo in the early 20 th century, the Sumatran Rhino population was severely reduced by the 1950s. It is now virtually absent from Sarawak and Kaliman tan, while higher numbers appear to persist in Sabah.26 Some recent estimates of the total Sumatran Rhino population suggested between 600 and 1,000, with the majority (420-875) in Indonesia. More rigorous assessment of Indo nesian populations conducted at the end of 1993 indicates that only 200 to 300 survive there, and the world population is likely to be below 500.20

Major population: The largest and possibly most viable populations of Sumatran Rhinoceros now exist in Sumatra. The rhinos here are mainly confined to the Gunung Leuser, Kerinci-Seblat and Barisan Selatan National Parks (table 2).


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