10-16
In Taman Negara, 9-10 rhinos have been identified. Other areas: Ulu Selama 3-4 Tenggaroh 2 Endau Rompin 20-25 Sungei Dusun 3-5 Bt Gebuk 1-2 Total rhino in areas visited in May 1982 to March 1983 was 29-38. These figures exclude other rhino areas. The total estimated figure in Peninsular Malaysia is 53-81.
there are 3-5 rhino reported here.
there are 2-3 rhino reported here.
The Selai Camp was situated near Sg. Selai. From Kg. Kepoh, the journey on foot took 5 hours. The specific rhino areas were Kemidak, Selai, Semberong, Ulu endau and Gunung Pukin Besar. Only Seali was visited in June 1982. Tracks of one rhino (18.5 and 18.6 cm) were observed. According to a census in May 1982, the estimated number of rhino in the whole of Endau Rompin is 20-25.
there are 3-5 rhino reported here.
there are 3-5 rhino reported here.
there are 0-1 rhino reported at Kedah border.
there are 0-2 rhino reported here.
3-5
Tenggaroh, Mersing Coast. Much of this area has been logged. One of the wallows still being used was located almost next to a logging road. The area is only few minutes from the sea. Rhino sometimes go to the beach. Two rhino were observed at a relatively close range. It was reported that the particular rhino was a female, as her genitals could be seemn/ Horn lnegth 10 cm, body length 200 cm. Another rhino was sighted on 29 Jan 1983. The horn was smaller, 5 cm high.
there are 3-5 rhino reported here.
Two animals at Tenggaroh, Malaysia. Body length from head to tail 200 cm (female), 183 cm.
There used to be a forest where rhino tracks were found previously. The spot was visited March 1982, the whole area was already cleared and a house was built there. Further in towards the hill, there was a swamp and a number of wallows were found, but they were used by wild boar and tapir. The only undisturbed forest left was right in the immediate surrounding of the hill, Bukit Gebuk.
Ulu Selama, Bintang Hijau Forest Reserve. This reserve is virgin forest. The core area was between two salt licks, Sira Kemian near Sg. Selama and Sira Rimau near Sg. Rimau. Both salt licks were located near river banks and both were sulphur hot springs. Rhino tracks were observed near the two saltlicks.
For short term protection, all known rhino areas should be monitored regularly to determine population trend especially recruitment rate. For long term protective measure, translocation from low or insecure habitat to sanctuaries whcih contain viable breeding population, suitbale habitat and good law enforcement. Serious consideration must be given to translocation of isolated rhino from Bukit Gebuk,. One possible reserve is Sg. Dusun, which has much potential for maintaining a viable population of Sumatran rhino. Another alternative is to breed them in captivity.
current locations
Field work in different areas. Kuala Tahan area. Included the surrounding Ulu Tekah, Ulu Dayang and Ulu Yong area. A pair of rhino was seen by an aborigines near Ulu Sg. Dayang and Ulu tekah in November 1982. According to him, one was a male, the other a female. They could be mating. A party was sent to verify the validity of the sighting. Ywo sets of rhino tracks were observed. Another trip to Ulu Sg. Yong was organised in February this year and the tracks of one rhino was found. However the direction of the tracks could not be determined because the ground was hard and tracks were estimated to be about 2 months old. Sg. Tanum. Parts of the river form the western boundary of Taman Negara. Rhino tracks were observed near two saltlicks, i.e. Jenut Atai and Jenut Kumbang, about 30 min apart by boat. Tracks of three rhinoceros were identified near the two salt licks. Ulu Sg. Spia. It takes at least 7 hours boat ride from Kuala Tahan to the ranger's post at Kuala Aur. Another day would be required to reach Sg. Reh, the rhino area. There were two wallows on a hill with a peak of about 800 m. Rhino tracks could be found in the lower parts of the hill at 91 m high. Tracks of one rhino were found near Sg. Reh, a tributary of Sg. Spia. Ulu Tahan. Reached on foot in 5 days from Kuala Tahan. A set of tracks was observed along Sg. Tor during a census in Feberuary 1983. Sg. Sat. Tracks of two rhino were discovered by kampong folk near Jenut Jentuh in Feb 1983 and they were verified in March 1983. Number of rhino in 1982 was 9-10 observed. During visits made to Ulu Atok, no rhino tracks were encountered. There are two possibilities, i.e. the rhino has ventured to a neighbouring area probably Kechau or the tracks were missed out. Back in 1977 the estimated number of rhino at Ulu Atok was 3-4. Also for Ulu Spia, in 1977 there were 3 rhino, and in Ulu Tahan 2. The estimated number of rhino in Taman Negara is 10-16.
Ulu Trengganu. The area that was visited was partly accessible by boat and partly on foot. The particular area was Sg. Badak, a tributary of Sg. Kalong. The was a hill of 500m called Bukit Badak near the river. Visited in August 1982.
Measurements of tracks in Taman Negara Hindfoot track (cm) Central Toe 1. 20.0 / 20.0 / 20.2 / 21.0 / 21.0 / 21.0 8.0 / 8.0 / 8.0 / 9.0 / 9.0 / 9.0 2. 20.2 / 20.2 8.5 / 8.5 3. 15.0 / 15.0 / 23.0 / 22.5 / 22.0 4.5 / 4.3 / 8.5 / 9.0 / 8.8 4. 17.0 / 17.2 / 17.0 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 5. 17.3 / 17.3 / 17.5 7.0 / 7.2 / 7.3 6. 20.3 / 19.0 / 20.1 / 20.2 8.0 / 8.8 / 10.0 / 8.5 7. 20.3 / 22.9 Not available Measurement of tracks at Sungei Salama 1. 19.0 / 19.0 / 19.0 7.5 / 7.5 / 6.5 2. 21.0 / 17.0 / 19.0 / 21.0 / 22.0 7.5 / 5.5 / 5.5 / 7.5 / 7.0 Measurements at Tenggaroh 1. 18.0 / 19.0 / 18.5 7.0 / 7.5 / 7.6 2. 19.0 / 20.0 / 19.5 7.5 / 8.0 / 7.5 End
Malaysia. Whenever fresh tracks were encountered, they were followed, taking measurements of the footprint of the hind feet. The footprints of the forefeet were not taken as they were usually trampled over by the footprints of the hindfeet. The only track that could be mistaken for a rhinoceros track was that of the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). Generally the tracks of the tapir were smaller, but an overlap in size could occur between large tapir and small rhinoceros tracks. However both the tracks could be distinguished clearly as those of tapir were more rounded whereas those of rhinoceros were more squared off. Measurement of the central nail also helped to distinguish between the two animals. Generally the rhino central nail was larger than that of tapir. A difference of between 1-2 cm was found between tracks in soft mud and those left in hard ground.
Malaysia. Whenever fresh tracks were encountered, they were followed, taking measurements of the footprint of the hind feet. The footprints of the forefeet were not taken as they were usually trampled over by the footprints of the hindfeet. The only track that could be mistaken for a rhinoceros track was that of the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus). Generally the tracks of the tapir were smaller, but an overlap in size could occur between large tapir and small rhinoceros tracks. However both the tracks could be distinguished clearly as those of tapir were more rounded whereas those of rhinoceros were more squared off. Measurement of the central nail also helped to distinguish between the two animals. Generally the rhino central nail was larger than that of tapir. A difference of between 1-2 cm was found between tracks in soft mud and those left in hard ground.
Two animals at Tenggaroh, Malaysia. Height at shoulder 122 cm (female), 130 cm.
Two animals at Tenggaroh, Malaysia. Length of anterior horn, 10 cm (female), 5 cm.
