Rhinos are also confirmed to occur in Selama Wildlife Reserve
A survey in 1994 by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Peninsular Malaysia has confirmed the suspected presence of rhinos.
1989, Estimated, 80+
In March-April 1994, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal conducted a count in Chitwan. The resulting census reports the presence of 446-466 rhino. The rhino population has increased at about 3.7 % per year from 1988 to 1994. A total of 23 are known to have been lost to poaching since 1988. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Royal Chitwan National Park in the Terai, the southern plains of the Kingdom of Nepal, is now home to over 500 one-horned rhinos. Their numbers are up from a census five years ago which put the rhino population in the park at 466. Wildlife officials claim that there are as many as 600 rhinos currently in Chitwan National park. Including 52 rhinos in Royal Bardia National Park in the western Nepal, officials put the total rhino population in Nepal over 650. Covering an area of 1,000 square kilometers, Royal Chitwan National Park was established in 1973, with fewer than 80 rhinos. A government policy of substantial financial investment and strict conservation strategy resulted in an increased rhino population. The census being conducted after five years is expected to come up with the exact number of rhinos roaming the park. Many experts say that rising rhino population can not be sustained in the limited area of Chitwan National Park, and the rhino habitat there is shrinking. Congestion is considered one of the causes of this year's rhinos death toll. No scientific study has been carried out on the sustainability of rhinos in terms of territory and the number of animals in Chitwan. However, growing occurrence of rhinos outside the park and abundant number of them everywhere in the park suggests over-crowding.
In November 1993, a 4-day survey was conducted in several parts of the sanctuary. Old, suspected rhino footprints were located at several places, but no recent evidence was encountered. There were no fresh prints, dung, scrapes, wallows or feeding sign of rhino.
In 1990, PHPA and WWF initiated an extensive photographic survey of rhino numbers and distribution. Under guidance of Mike Griffiths, about 30 automatic cameras activated by a pressure mat trigger were placed at strategic points throughout the Park. During the two years the study was conducted, hundreds of color photographs of rhino and other large mammals were collected. From the photos, 27 individual rhino could be identified on basis of anatomical features such as horn size and shape, neck folds, skin pores, scars, etc. Considering area of camera coverage and other factors, the rhino population has been estimated at between 37 and 58 individuals, including several calves recorded on the photos. A further computation based on home range size and habitat condition has estimated the carrying capacity at 80 rhino.
In 1991 Way Kambas guards observed a rhino on the banks of the Way Kanan River, Based on the guards report (?single horn' and ?scaled skin') and on the presumption that Way Kambas was typical Javan Rhino habitat, it was assumed to be Javan. Single-horned rhinos were reported to have been poached in the area until the 1960s. The park guards collected a good plaster cast of the rhino's footprint. In 1993 Nico van Strien examined the cast and identified it as undoubtedly belonging to Dicerorhinus sumatrensis. By that time more cast of rhino footprints had been collected by Park staff and by the University of Southampton Way Kambas project. All were Dicerorhinus sumatrensis and 2-3 individuals could be recognized. Rhino tracks have been located mainly in the very centre of the park about the Wako River. It is estimated that possibly 3-5 animals are present.
In the past incidental records of Sumatran Rhino were documented throughout the park. The Park has a very difficult shape with about 700 km of artificial boundaries extending through mountainous terrain, and with densely populated areas all around. All along the boundaries incursions into the park, for logging and agriculture, have reduced the area of undisturbed habitat. Two public roads extend through the park from east to west. In recent years the Park Management has been able to stop most incursions and to remove illegal settlers from the Park, but the remaining prime rhino habitat, especially in the southern two-third of the Park in Lampung province, is fragmented and reduced to narrow strips in the higher parts of the mountains. The stronghold of the Sumatran Rhino is in the tip of the peninsula along the Blambangan (or Belambang on older maps) River. Surveys by the Park staff estimated 10 rhinos in 1987 and 13 to 18 in 1990. There are no indications of poaching in this area, and the current development of a large ecotourism facility nearby, is expected to provide additional protection for this rhino population. Rhinos still survive in other parts of the National Park, but there are no recent estimates of numbers. In 1993 a cast of a Sumatran rhino footprint (identified by Nico van Strien) was collected 5 km east of Krui by Tulus Sibuea of Padjajaran University, conducting an agricultural survey in the area. Another potential Sumatran rhino area is the northern-most part of the Park, in Bengkulu province. This part of the Park appears to be rather undisturbed when viewed from the air, and would be ideal habitat for Sumatran Rhino. Rhino are known to survive in the mountains further north (Gunung Patah and Bukit Hitam). A ground survey of this area has never been conducted and there is virtually no Park staff present. The GEF Rhino Project will establish rhino protection units in Barisan Selatan to prevent poaching.
Until the early 1980s the core area of rhino distribution was regularly patrolled and rhino poachers did not have a chance to conduct succesful operations. The rhino patrols were mainly funded from external sources and when these sources disappeared, the park management did not succeed in allocating regular funds to this essential activity. The well-trained and highly motivated personnel of the patrol team were moved to other positions. From far away several groups of rhino poachers descended upon Gunong Leuser and for about 6 years nothing was done to stop their activities. It was estimated that probably at least 50% of the population of 80-120 rhinos was killedm and the rhino had completely disappeared from parts of their former stronghold. The European Union is currently developing a funding plan for a comprehensive integrated conservation and development program incorporating anti-poaching patrol and population monitoring.
In March 1993, WWF sponsored a survey. The report states that the core area of rhino distribution is about 35,000 ha. A total of 19 rhino tracks were encountered and measured. Based on differences in width it could be concluded that there were 7 to 9 individuals in the survey area. Footprints were mostly less than 25 cm in diameter. One wonders whether it is really Javan Rhino in Cat Loc. All small prints fall well within the range of the Sumatran Rhino, but could have been measured from vague prints. Judging from the tracks sizes alone, one would conclude that there are Sumatran Rhinos in Cat Loc. The existence of the Sumatran rhino in Vietnam cannot be excluded.
Cat Loc, 7-9
In September 1994, the Sabah Wildlife department, Sabah Foundation and Wildlife Conservation Society conducted a 10-day survey using 7 groups of rangers in various parts of the Danum Valley. Two of the groups found evidence of recent rhino activity. At both sites, evidence of 3 rhinos were found. There could be as many as 23 rhinos scattered throughout the Danum Valley. Every survey team detected evidence of human intrusion and poaching.
P. Lahan reported that perhaps 50% of the rhino had been lost. More recent albeit unofficial reports suggest that virtually all of the rhino have been exterminated. Manas was probably the origin of 22 Indian Rhino horns seized by Hong Kong custom officials from a Bhutanese princess in 1993.
several rhino died of a mysterious disease. Since that time the population seems to have stabilized at about 50-60 individuals.
A significant decline in estimates from Kerinci Seblat National Park. Recent surveys have located little evidence of rhino in areas of the park where they were thought to exist. The surveys have discovered much evidence of poacher activities.
Cat Loc, Vietnam, 1993. The majority of the footprints detected were small, 14 out of 19 are less than 25 cm in diameter, and would be from young animals, less than two years of age, if produced by Javan Rhino. Only two tracks of adult Javan Rhino size were discovered (30 cm).
