A Critically Endangered Sumatran Rhino Successfully Gives Birth In Indonesia

November 28, 2023

In a momentous event, a critically endangered Sumatran rhino was welcomed into the world on Saturday in the western island of Sumatra, Indonesia.

This marks the second such birth in the country in 2023, offering a glimmer of hope for a species that currently boasts fewer than 50 individuals.

Delilah, a female residing in a sanctuary for Sumatran rhinos within Way Kambas National Park in Lampung province, proudly gave birth to a 55-pound male calf.

The newborn, fathered by a male named Harapan from the Cincinnati Zoo, represents a significant milestone as Harapan was the last Sumatran rhino to be repatriated to Indonesia, consolidating the entire global population of Sumatran rhinos within the country.

Both mother and baby are reported to be in good condition, with the calf displaying the ability to stand upright and walk shortly after birth.

"It was a long, arduous journey for all involved, and not without risks. Although it took several years before Harapan achieved what he was sent to do, this birth of his first calf at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) confirms that we made the right decision," said Dr. Terri Roth, director of the Cincinnati Zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) and the scientist whose research led to the births of Harapan and his two siblings. "Our efforts and sacrifice were worth it, and the ultimate goal has been achieved. We are so grateful for the wonderful partnership we have shared with our Indonesian colleagues for over two decades and so very proud of their success."

"This birth is not only the arrival of the second Sumatran rhino in 2023 but also underscores the Indonesian Government's commitment to rhino conservation efforts, particularly for the Sumatran rhino," remarked Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar in an official statement.