“It’s an incredible event”: Critically endangered Sumatran Rhino welcomes her FIRST baby calf

It’s a Christmas miracle! A beautiful, healthy, rare Sumatran rhinoceros was born, just in time for the holidays. On November 25, the Government of Indonesia announced the rhino’s birth, the second one within two months, at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung Province, a press release published by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) stated.

The Indonesian Minister of Environment and Forestry, Siti Nurbaya, announced that first-time Sumatran rhino mom Delilah gave birth to a healthy male calf. The Minister admitted to being “grateful for the fifth birth at the SRS”. 

Including the female calf born earlier this year, there are now ten Sumatran rhinos living at the semi-wild breeding and research facility, the official statement reported. Nina Fascione, the IRF’s executive director, explained: “The Sumatran rhino breeding program has never been in a better position.

“Two years ago there was only one captive Sumatran rhino pair in the world able to successfully produce offspring.  “Now there are three pairs – six rhinos – who are proven breeders.  “Those are much better odds for the long-term survival of this species.”

In 2016, Delilah became the second calf ever to be born at the Way Kambas SRS, the IRF reported. 

The impressive animal has now become the first captive-born Sumatran rhino to give birth, a reported significant milestone for the breeding program.

Jansen Manansang, the executive director of Yayasan Badak Indonesia (YABI), said: “Going forward, the Rhino Foundation of Indonesia continues to be committed to assisting and fully supporting the programs and efforts of the Government of the Republic of Indonesia, especially in rhino conservation efforts in Indonesia.” 

Delilah, of the endangered Sumatran rhino species, became the first captive-born of her kind to give birth

YABI is managed by veterinarians and animal care staff who have been tasked with closely monitoring Delilah and her calf while they bond.

The goal of the breeding program at the SRS is to reportedly supplement the declining wild population. 

“It’s an incredible event that gives hope to the future of this critically endangered species,” the executive director of the International Rhino Foundation said

In the future, rhinos born at the SRS could be released back into their natural habitat, according to Satyawan Pudyatmoko, Director General of Natural Resources and Ecosystem Conservation.

Nina further explained: “You never know if a first-time mom will know what to do, but Delilah brought that calf into the world and started nursing it with no fuss or fanfare. 

“It’s an incredible event that gives hope to the future of this critically endangered species.”