Single male rhino, 20 something, seeks mate to save species

by Blue Crush | December 24, 2008 at 12:05 am

383 views | 48 Recommendations | 9 comments

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - He probably hasn't dated in two decades, but the survival of a species may depend on whether Tam can get lucky soon.

A male rhinoceros recently rescued on the edge of Borneo's rain forest is expected to become the first participant of a Malaysian breeding program for his critically endangered ilk, a wildlife expert said Wednesday.

The roughly 20-year-old Borneo Sumatran rhino, whose species is known for its solitary nature, was found wandering a plantation in August and now has been resettled in a 120,000-hectare wildlife reserve in Malaysia's Sabah state.

Authorities hope to bring at least five male and female rhinos into the reserve over the next few years so that they can mate and produce offspring, said Junaidi Payne, the senior technical adviser for the World Wildlife Fund's Malaysian Borneo chapter.

"Their numbers are so low that they might drift into extinction if no one does anything." Payne told the Associated Press. "If they are not stressed out by people, the chances of success should be better," he said.

Hope for the subspecies was boosted after Malaysian government officials and WWF experts found new evidence of them in the wild in May 2005. Rhino protection units have since launched patrols to deter poaching.

Read more of the world's smallest and most endangered rhino on the National Geographic website.

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Paschen

at 01:46 on December 24th, 2008

That may be a challenge in deed, Cloning here may give the species better chances.

rpshen

at 06:53 on December 24th, 2008

This is good news. Great story!

clkayleib

at 07:40 on December 24th, 2008

These photos were taken at the Cincinnati Ohio zoo in July 2007. On the few occasions that I have visited this zoo, this was the only time I have ever seen the Sumatran rhinos active.

clkayleib has contributed a photo to this story.

Jordan Yerman

at 07:46 on December 24th, 2008

He likes long walks on the veldt, charging, eating, and having birds walk on his back.

Pythiian1

at 09:55 on December 24th, 2008

Thanks for posting this good story.

Now if only Jordan's description of Tam will win over some female rhinos...

Amy Judd

at 10:53 on December 24th, 2008

I hope he gets some Rhino love for Christmas!

Dad of girls

at 15:20 on December 24th, 2008

Photo taken at the Denver Zoo in June, 2008. Male calf was being weaned and was separated from its mother for the first time.

Dad of girls has contributed a photo to this story.

Dayngr

at 16:38 on December 27th, 2008

I don't see my photo credit listed!

varuni_dave

at 01:59 on December 30th, 2008

This photo was taken in 2005 in the Sepilok orangutan rehabiliation centre, where there is also a Sumatran rhino breeding centre
http://www.sosrhino.org/news/sumatranbreeding.php

varuni_dave has contributed a photo to this story.