Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry (Kemenhut) is preparing to translocate several selected Javan rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus) to a designated breeding site at Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area (JRSCA). This was part of a long-term conservation strategy to boost the species’ genetic diversity.
In a statement issued Thursday (June 5) from Jakarta, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation (KSDAE) Satyawan Pudyatmoko said the move is necessary to address concerns about inbreeding and the shrinking genetic pool of the critically endangered species.
“There are signs of declining genetic variation within the wild Javan rhino population. Translocation to the JRSCA is crucial to prevent inbreeding and enhance the population’s genetic resilience,” Satyawan said.
The translocation effort is being supported by the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL), the Indonesian Rhino Foundation (YABI), and other conservation partners. The involvement of the Marine Corps also reflects broader cross-sector cooperation in wildlife conservation.
Marine Corps Captain Bayhaky C. Chipta, commander of the Amphibious Artillery Transport Vehicle Battalion (Yonkapa) 1, noted that the Navy’s role in wildlife evacuation also supports disaster response preparedness in the event of tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, or forest fires.
The rhinos will be moved from their natural habitat in the Ujung Kulon Peninsula to the JRSCA, located in Ujungjaya village, Pandeglang Regency. Though both sites are within Ujung Kulon National Park, they are separated by approximately 14 kilometers of sea.
Read Also:
Fact About Javan Rhinos: One of the World’s Rarest Species Live in Indonesia
To ensure a safe and low-risk relocation, the Navy conducted a simulation on May 28 in Jakarta using the Kapa K-61 amphibious armored vehicle to test its ability to transport the rhinos’ custom-made containment crates across marine terrain.
“This simulation is essential to confirm the transport’s safety and reliability, especially given the long sea route involved,” Satyawan added.
The transport crate, weighing about one metric ton and equipped with a ventilation system and shock-absorbing supports, is specially designed for the animals’ comfort and safety. The simulated weight of a Javan rhino was 1.6 metric tons.
Officials said the results showed the Kapa K-61 vehicle is well-suited for the operation, raising new hope for safeguarding the Javan Rhinos considered one of the world’s rarest large mammals in a safer, controlled environment.
(Raidi/Agung)
