Image of a worker with a baby rhino and image of the baby rhino on its own

Doctors at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary care for Indra (left) and Anggi (right).

Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry via AP Images (veterinarian with Indra); Courtesy of the Indonesian Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Anggi); Shutterstock.com (tear)

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The Race to Save Rhinos

Two Sumatran rhinos were recently born in Indonesia. Can they help save their species?

April 1, 2024
By Rebecca Zissou

As You Read, Think About: Why are the births of Indra and Anggi so important?

A Sumatran rhinoceros named Indra trails behind his mother, Delilah. They splash around in a mud puddle before lying down side by side for a nap.

Indra may seem like an ordinary rhino. But his birth last November at a sanctuary in Indonesia was cause for celebration. It followed the birth of another Sumatran rhino—a female named Anggi. She was born at the same sanctuary just two months before. 

Why were their births such big news? Sumatran rhinos are among the most endangered animals on Earth. By some estimates, fewer than 50 of them are left in the wild. 

“Sumatran rhinos are really rare,” explains Stacy Strother. She works for the International Rhino Foundation. “So for this species, literally every single birth is a really big deal.”

Indra is a baby Sumatran rhinoceros. He trails behind his mother, Delilah. They splash around in a mud puddle. Then they lie down side by side for a nap. 

Indra may seem like an ordinary rhino. But his birth last November at a sanctuary in Indonesia was cause for celebration. It followed the birth of another Sumatran rhino, named Anggi. She was born at the same sanctuary just two months before. 

Why were their births such big news? Sumatran rhinos are among the most endangered animals on Earth. By some estimates, fewer than 50 of them are left in the wild. 

“Sumatran rhinos are really rare,” explains Stacy Strother. She works for the International Rhino Foundation. “So for this species, literally every single birth is a really big deal.”

Rhinos at Risk

There are five rhino species spread out across Asia and Africa. In the early 1900s, as many as 500,000 roamed the wild. Today, that number is down to about 27,000. Sumatran rhinos are nearly extinct.

One big reason all rhinos are in trouble is poaching. Hunters shoot the animals and saw off their horns, leaving the bodies behind. The horns can sell for $300,000 each.  

Many people believe that rhino horns can cure illnesses. They are often ground into a powder and used in medicines. 

But in reality, rhino horns don’t have any healing powers. They’re made of keratin, the same material found in human hair and nails. Still, there’s a big demand for these horns. 

Habitat loss is another threat. As the human population in Indonesia grows, more land is cleared to make room for roads and homes. Sumatran rhinos have fewer places to live. With so few rhinos in the wild, it’s hard to keep the population growing. 

There are five rhino species spread out across Asia and Africa. As many as 500,000 roamed the wild in the early 1900s. Today, that number is down to about 27,000. Sumatran rhinos are nearly extinct.

One big reason all rhinos are in trouble is poaching. Hunters shoot the animals and saw off their horns. Then they leave the bodies behind. The horns can sell for $300,000 each.  

Many people believe that rhino horns can cure illnesses. They are often ground into a powder and used in medicines. 

But rhino horns don’t really have any healing powers. They’re made of keratin. That’s the same material found in human hair and nails. Still, there’s a big demand for these horns. 

Habitat loss is another threat. The human population in Indonesia is growing. As it grows, more land is cleared to make room for roads and homes. Sumatran rhinos have fewer places to live. With so few rhinos in the wild, it’s hard to keep the population growing. 

Courtesy of Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry

Delilah and Indra take a mud bath. Mud cools rhinos’ skin and protects it from insects.

Saving a Species

That’s why the arrival of Indra and Anggi was so important. They were born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary. 

It was built in 1996 in the animals’ natural habitat in Way Kambas National Park. Veterinarians there run a breeding program to help grow the rhino population. Their goal is to one day move the animals to the wild. 

The sanctuary is home to 10 Sumatran rhinos. Armed guards protect the animals around the clock. Vets give the rhinos checkups every day.

Strother says Indra and Anggi are healthy and growing fast. The calves have made her hopeful that the species can make a comeback. 

“Rhinos have been on this planet for millions of years,” Strother says. “It’s our responsibility to keep them here as long as possible.”

That’s why the arrival of Indra and Anggi was so important. They were born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary. It’s in Way Kambas National Park. The sanctuary was built in 1996 in the animals’ natural habitat. Veterinarians there run a breeding program. They want to help grow the rhino population. Their goal is to one day move the animals to the wild. 

The sanctuary is home to 10 Sumatran rhinos. Armed guards protect the animals around the clock. Vets give the rhinos checkups every day.

Strother says Indra and Anggi are healthy. They’re both growing fast. The calves have made her hopeful that the species can make a comeback. 

“Rhinos have been on this planet for millions of years,” Strother says. “It’s our responsibility to keep them here as long as possible.”

Get to Know Sumatran Rhinos

Suzi Eszterhas/Minden Pictures

Jim McMahon/Mapman® 

  • In the wild, they live only on two islands in Indonesia.
  • Sumatran rhinos are the smallest rhino species. But they’re not so small! They weigh up to 2,000 pounds and can measure about 10 feet long. 
  • They’re also the hairiest rhinos. Newborns often have full coats of hair. Adults are covered with patches of short, dark, stiff hair.
  • Their front horns may be more than 2 feet long but are usually much shorter. The second horn often looks like a small bump.
  • In the wild, they live only on two islands in Indonesia.
  • Sumatran rhinos are the smallest rhino species. But they’re not so small! They weigh up to 2,000 pounds and can measure about 10 feet long. 
  • They’re also the hairiest rhinos. Newborns often have full coats of hair. Adults are covered with patches of short, dark, stiff hair.
  • Their front horns may be more than 2 feet long but are usually much shorter. The second horn often looks like a small bump.
  1. Based on the article, what is poaching? Share a clue in the text that helps you figure it out. 
  2. Based on what you’ve read, why do you think the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary has armed guards?
  3. What is the purpose of the map?
  1. Based on the article, what is poaching? Share a clue in the text that helps you figure it out. 
  2. Based on what you’ve read, why do you think the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary has armed guards?
  3. What is the purpose of the map?
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