Indonesian Rhino Gives Hope to Species

    The International Rhino Foundation (http://bit.ly/MOQLZq) (IRF) is 
anticipating the birth of a Sumatran rhino at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary 
(http://bit.ly/MGCTQw) (SRS) in Indonesia's Way Kambas National Park. This 
birth is one of the most significant advances of the conservation effort for 
Sumatran rhinos. With fewer than 200 Sumatran rhinos remaining in Indonesia and 
Malaysia, the birth is being anticipated globally.

    The rhino calf is expected to be born sometime within the next few weeks, 
and the 12-year-old mother, Ratu, is being monitored by her veterinarian, 
keepers and rhino experts from several continents.

    Andalas, the father, was brought to the SRS from the U.S. several years ago 
in the hopes that he would one day breed with one or more of the three females 
at the SRS.

    "Ratu's pregnancy is a significant milestone in our efforts to conserve the 
Sumatran rhino population and represents a truly global effort," said Dr. Susie 
Ellis (http://bit.ly/KZvEF0), executive director of IRF.

    Dr. Dedi Candra, head veterinarian at the SRS, is monitoring Ratu's 
pregnancy by weighing her weekly and conducting regular ultrasound exams, using 
methods developed by the Cincinnati Zoo's Center for Conservation and Research 
of Endangered Wildlife.

    Immediately after the birth, Ellis will harvest placental cells that may be 
used to generate stem cells. Stem cells have the potential of being useful for 
many purposes, from curing diseases to helping promote reproduction. Fibroblast 
cells will be removed from the placenta and then frozen for future stem cell 
work. Fibroblasts are used to create stem cells because they are easy to 
extract and culture in the lab. These cells will remain stored in Indonesia.

    "This is yet another way in which this birth can contribute new knowledge 
and tools potentially important to sustaining the future of this critically 
endangered species," Ellis said.

    The Sumatran rhino is seriously threatened by the continuing loss of its 
tropical forest habitat and hunting pressure from poachers, who kill rhinos for 
their valuable horns. Every pregnancy is a vital step toward maintaining the 
survival of the species, which runs the risk of extinction by the end of this 
century. The SRS opened in 1998 as a partnership with the Rhino Foundation of 
Indonesia and Way Kambas National Park, Indonesia Ministry of Forestry.


     SOURCE: International Rhino Foundation

    CONTACT: Bill Konstant
             +1-215-233-9318 office, or
             +1-610-740-4114 cell, 
             b.konstant@rhinos.org