Two extremely rare Javan rhino calves have been spotted in an Indonesian national park, raising hopes for the long run of one in all the world’s most endangered mammals.
The rhino calves – a female named Helen and a male named Luther – were seen with their moms in videos captured from nearly 100 camera traps installed in Ujung Kulon National Park between March and August, authorities said in an announcement on Sunday.
On the westernmost tip of Java, in Banten Province, Ujung Kulon is the last remaining wild habitat of the Javan rhinos.
After years of population decline, the arrival of latest calves brings the whole variety of rare mammals to 74.
The sanctuary covers roughly 5,100 hectares (12,600 acres) of lush rainforest and freshwater streams.
The Indonesian government is exploring other areas on the islands of Java and Sumatra to maneuver rhinos out of danger from Mount Krakatau, an lively volcano near the national park.
“This birth gives great hope for the continuation of lifetime of the critically endangered special Javan rhinoceros,” said Wiratno, a senior official on the environment ministry.
Javan rhinos have folds of loose skin that give the impression that they’re wearing armor.
They once numbered hundreds in Southeast Asia, but have suffered severely from rampant poaching and human encroachment on their habitats.
