Review of Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus Sumatrensis) population in Peninsular Malaysia

The first comprehensive review of Sumatran rhinoceros population in Peninsular Malaysia was made in 1984. Since then, population estimates were made on an ad hoc basis. In 1995, an effort was made to estimate the current population based on the more intensive and systematic surveys. In general, the population of Sumatran rhinoceros in Peninsular Malaysia was observed to decline at an alarming rate. Factors that attributed to the decline included habitat loss, poaching and displacement of the rhinos into other forest reserves. Further surveys are necessary to provide an accurate population estimate for the country. However, it was strongly emphasized that the present known population should be provided with the maximum protection from habitat degradation and poaching. It was also recommended that the number of rhino protection units be increased and trained as permanent staff; increase protection of sensitive areas; increase surveys to include all forest reserves and the Main Range; capacity building; initiation of GEF Phase II with inclusion of fund raising programmes; accelerate village outreach projects; collaborative effort with the Department of Forestry on saving the species and establish captive breeding nucleus within a fenced up game reserves in Krau and Sungai Dusun. The situation with the Sumatran rhinoceros in Malaysia demands a comprehensive multifaceted conservation strategy to ascertain a sustainable population growth. The key population requires immediate protection from poachers, habitat encroachment and degradation.