Jennifer J
- May 30, 2019
- 2 min read

Extinction Crisis: The Last Male Sumatran Rhino Of Malaysia Dies

The last male Sumatran Rhino of Malaysia has died. The last male Sumatran Rhino of Malaysia was named Tam. There is now only one female Sumatran Rhino left in Malaysia, she is named Iman. Iman is the last Sumatran Rhino of Malaysia now. With the death of Tam the Rhino, it now means that the Sumatran Rhino is all but extinct in Malaysia.

Staring Extinction In The Face

The Sumatran Rhino population in 2019 is so low, that these animals are now staring extinction in the face. According to the WWF, the Sumatran Rhino population in 2019 is just 80 individual Sumatran Rhinos. With the Sumatran Rhino population in 2019 being incredibly low, it means that these beautiful animals are very close to extinction.

Their extinction will probably happen within our lifetime.

Threats To The Sumatran Rhino

There are many threats to the Sumatran Rhino. The threats to the Sumatran Rhino have been happening for at least the past few decades; and they are also happening today.

There are two main threats to the Sumatran Rhino: Deforestation and poaching. By 2012, it was reported that the Sumatran rainforest had declined by 40% within just 20 years. Now, over half of the Sumatran rainforest has gone due to deforestation. The most alarming thing, is that most of that rainforest has disappeared over the course of just 30 years, according to the WWF.

There are several reasons why the Sumatran rainforest has been destroyed. But the main reason is due to a clearance of the forest for palm oil plantations.

The destruction of the Sumatran rainforest, has not only resulted in a decline in the Sumatran Rhino, it has resulted in a decline of many of the rainforest animals that live within Sumatra. Most notably, the deforestation of the Sumatran rainforest, has also resulted in the Sumatran Tiger declining rapidly, to the extent of which the Sumatran Tiger is now critically endangered.There are now less than 400 Sumatran Tigers in the wild.

The disappearing Sumatran rainforest, is also resulting in the disappearance of the animals within the Sumatran rainforest. Including the disappearance of the Sumatran Rhino.

What Is The Future For Sumatran Rhinos?

Wildlife conservationists have been trying to breed Sumatran Rhinos, and the future of the species partly relies of the successful breeding of Sumatran Rhinos.

However, wildlife conservationists have had little success with breeding them.

Furthermore, the future of the Sumatran Rhino also relies on the Sumatran rainforest standing. Deforestation has not only resulted in the destruction of the rainforest, it has also resulted in there being being patches of forest, which is unlinked by wildlife corridors. Essentially, when there are patches of rainforest, which are cut off from each other through things like roads, with no wildlife corridors for the animals to get through, it harms the animals, as they cannot find mates and there is the chance that these animals will be killed on the roads.

Helping Sumatran Rhinos

There are several ways that you can help the Sumatran Rhino.

Here are a few ways that you can help Sumatran Rhinos:

Adopt a Sumatran Rhino with the WWF - here.

Sources:

https://news.mongabay.com/2012/08/rainforests-decline-sharply-in-sumatra-but-rate-of-deforestation-slows/

https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/forests/deforestation_fronts/deforestation_in_borneo_and_sumatra/

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/sumatran-tiger

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-48432302

https://gifts.worldwildlife.org/gift-center/gifts/species-adoptions/sumatran-rhino.aspx

https://savesumatranrhinos.org/

Extinction Crisis: The Last Male Sumatran Rhino Of Malaysia Dies

Recent Posts