Metcalfe (1961) estimated that there were 50 Sumatran rhinoceroses remaining in Malaya, though he conceded that the actual figure might lie between 30 and 70 animals. Milton (1963), after spending a year or so studying the situation, decided that Metcalfe was reasonably correct in his estimate, and presented his own figures by States (Table 1). Hislop (1968) was much less optimistic and suggested that the population was 10 animals, with a possibility of there being as many as 30. Strickland (1967) was wise enough not to make an estimate of total numbers and confined his efforts to recording the number in the Sungei Dusun Game Reserve (3-5 animals). He also was able to confirm the presence of 3 animals in Perak. The information from the Game Departments, the field geologists, the Forest Department and from personal observations for 1967 and 1968 is presented in Table 1. It represents actual locations where rhinoceroses or their recent footprints were recorded; but with some guesses about duplication. So it is still an estimate and a more systematic recording of occurrences over a period of time is needed. The State Game Departments are the logical agencies to collect those data. 1963 1968 Johore 10 5 Pahang 8 3 Negri Sembilan 0 0 Selangor 5 3 Perak 10 5 Trengganu 5 0 Kelantan 5 1 Kedah 4 0 Perlis 0 0 National Park n/a 3 Total 47 20 End
There are four areas where rhinoceroses are present in sufficient numbers that breeding might be possible - the National Park, the Sungei Dusun Reserve in Selangor, the Ulu Selama area of Perak and the Sungei Emas region of Johore. The last two have been recommended as permanent sanctuaries.
Reports from Ulu Perak, Gunong Chamah in Kelantan, the Kerau Reserve and two other localities in Pahang, and the Johore coast south of Mersing are of one or two animals only. Those may be wanderers with little chance of contributing to an increase in population.
There are four areas where rhinoceroses are present in sufficient numbers that breeding might be possible - the National Park, the Sungei Dusun Reserve in Selangor, the Ulu Selama area of Perak and the Sungei Emas region of Johore. The last two have been recommended as permanent sanctuaries.
Reports from Ulu Perak, Gunong Chamah in Kelantan, the Kerau Reserve and two other localities in Pahang, and the Johore coast south of Mersing are of one or two animals only. Those may be wanderers with little chance of contributing to an increase in population.
There are four areas where rhinoceroses are present in sufficient numbers that breeding might be possible - the National Park, the Sungei Dusun Reserve in Selangor, the Ulu Selama area of Perak and the Sungei Emas region of Johore. The last two have been recommended as permanent sanctuaries.
Reports from Ulu Perak, Gunong Chamah in Kelantan, the Kerau Reserve and two other localities in Pahang, and the Johore coast south of Mersing are of one or two animals only. Those may be wanderers with little chance of contributing to an increase in population.
The species has come to its present precarious position through many years of persecution for its horn, and other body products to be used as medicine. Although the supply is all but finished the demand still remains, so the danger of losing more animals to unscrupulous poachers is as real as ever. Protection of the few remaining animals in strictly protected reserves appears to be the only solution to the problem. The situation is grave throughout the range of the Sumatran rhinoceros: in Burma, in Malaysia and in Sumatra. It may well be that the Sumatran form will disappear before the larger Javan species, lacking the concentration of animals and the protection necessary for reproduction. There is no room for complacency and little room for optimism.
There are four areas where rhinoceroses are present in sufficient numbers that breeding might be possible - the National Park, the Sungei Dusun Reserve in Selangor, the Ulu Selama area of Perak and the Sungei Emas region of Johore. The last two have been recommended as permanent sanctuaries.
