Sumatran Rhino in Leuser Ecosystem (Aceh Province)

Sumatran Rhino (Photo Credit by Google.com)

Sumatran rhinos are well adapted to life in the dense mountain forests. Historical records state that the existence of the Sumatran rhino found in almost all remote areas in Sumatra and TNGL a place with good documentation (Van Strien in Jatna et al., 1996). Explained that in the past, the Sumatran rhino can be found in almost all parts of the national park, in the valleys and in the mountains, along the west coast and in the lower mainland Langkat and Deli.

When the survey was first conducted in the Leuser in 1930, Rhino has become rare in the northern region near Blangkejeren, which is known as the center of rhino hunters. The tendency will decrease the rhino population continues, and when the research project rhino from an expert zoology Swiss-Marcus Borner then followed by Nico van Strein in the early 1970s, the rhino had disappeared from all over the national park boundary. There is only one area in the center of the national park can be reached by air or follow elephant trails cut in the mountainous area Valley Mamas. Nico van Strein rhino doing research in this area in 1975.

In the study period of 358 days in the Valley Mamas, 4,000 km road patrol has passed and more than 600 casts were made on 360 rhino trails. Concluded have found no less than 39 individual rhinos, 12 individuals including the rhino calf born in the study period. In Mamas valley also predicted that the density of individuals estimated 1 badak/800 acres, and this is the maximum amount that can be supported by the state in the Leuser area, and so may be the size of mountains across the Sumatran rhino. While the male rhino roaming area can reach forest area of ​​2500-3000 acres, while the female rhino at 1,000-1,500 hectares area, which is generally centered on the place mengasin (saltlick area). Furthermore, the distribution area of ​​the Sumatran rhino is presented in Figure below.