Sumatran Rhino

Scientific Name: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

Sumatran rhinos are also known as the hairy rhino and nearly their entire body is covered with a coat of coarse reddish hair.  They are a solitary species meaning they live their lives independently of other rhinos except for reproducing and raising their young.  This small rhino species was historically found in rainforests throughout Southeast Asia where they feed or browse on plants, trees and shrubs found in the jungles.  They are currently found only in isolated habitats on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo, and possibly a remnant population still lives in Penisular Malaysia in Negara. 

Aside from eating, a Sumatran rhino’s favorite daily activity is rolling in a mud wallow to cool themselves and help keep away insects.  Rhinos everywhere are hunted for their horns, which are believed to have medicinal properties in traditional Asian medical practice.  In Indonesia rhinos have also lost much of their original habitat to the timber industry and for agriculture.

White Oak Conservation Center recognized the plight of the Sumatran rhino and for the last ten years has supported rhino conservation projects in Indonesia through the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).  By funding dedicated teams of rangers or rhino protection units, RPUs, we are helping Indonesian authorities protect not only rhinos, but the forests and wildlife of Indonesia.  We also provide technical and financial support for a breeding center for Sumatran rhinos located in Way Kambas National Park, Sumatra. 

The male Sumatran rhino born currently at White Oak Conservation Center was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2007, only the third Sumatran rhino ever born and bred in captivity, and one of only 10 Sumatran rhinos in captivity worldwide (3 in the US, 5 in Indonesia, 2 in Malaysia).  More importantly he represents one of the 200 Sumatran rhinos estimated to be living on the planet.  As part of our signature rhino programs, the acquisition of the young male rhino represents a new facet of the Conservation Center’s commitment to conserving rhinos.  We have now embarked on several projects to learn more about the captive management of the Sumatran rhino, to improve our knowledge of the species and provide important support for the dwindling wild population.