Javan rhinos at Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park (Source: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – Indonesia's tsunami which occurred on December 22 hasraised fears that another deadly wave could wipe out the few dozen Javan rhinosstill living in the wild, conservation authorities said on December 28.
There arebelieved to be fewer than 70 individuals of the critically endangered speciesat the Ujung Kulon National Park on the western tip of Indonesia's main islandof Java, not far from the Anak Krakatau volcano that triggered a deadly tsunamion December 22.
None ofthe animals are believed to have been killed in the disaster, but officials arewarning that another deadly wave could slam into the stricken region.
That isputting pressure on conservationists at the national park to ramp up alongstanding plan to find a suitable secondary habitat for the rhinos.
Plans tofind a second home for the species have been in the work for about eight years,with conservationists surveying areas all over Java and neighbouring Sumatrabut so far without success.
Head ofthe Rhino Conservation Foundation of Indonesia Widodo Ramono said if there isonly one habitat for the animals and another tsunami strikes the area, therhinos could be wiped out completely.
The creatureonce numbered in the thousands and roamed across Southeast Asia.
However,poaching and human encroachment on its habitat has led to a dramatic populationdecline.
Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth,straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic platescollide and a large portion of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakesoccur. Anak Krakatau is one of the 127 active volcanoes which run the length ofthe archipelago.-VNA
There arebelieved to be fewer than 70 individuals of the critically endangered speciesat the Ujung Kulon National Park on the western tip of Indonesia's main islandof Java, not far from the Anak Krakatau volcano that triggered a deadly tsunamion December 22.
None ofthe animals are believed to have been killed in the disaster, but officials arewarning that another deadly wave could slam into the stricken region.
That isputting pressure on conservationists at the national park to ramp up alongstanding plan to find a suitable secondary habitat for the rhinos.
Plans tofind a second home for the species have been in the work for about eight years,with conservationists surveying areas all over Java and neighbouring Sumatrabut so far without success.
Head ofthe Rhino Conservation Foundation of Indonesia Widodo Ramono said if there isonly one habitat for the animals and another tsunami strikes the area, therhinos could be wiped out completely.
The creatureonce numbered in the thousands and roamed across Southeast Asia.
However,poaching and human encroachment on its habitat has led to a dramatic populationdecline.
Indonesia, one of the most disaster-prone nations on earth,straddles the so-called Pacific "Ring of Fire", where tectonic platescollide and a large portion of the world’s volcanic eruptions and earthquakesoccur. Anak Krakatau is one of the 127 active volcanoes which run the length ofthe archipelago.-VNA
VNA
