Sumatran Rhinoceros

The Sumatran rhinoceros is the smallest of its family, standing between 112 and 145 cm high at the shoulder. It is unique for its reddish-brown hair, which can be dense on calves but often appears scarce on adults. Like African species, it possesses two horns, though the nasal horn is typically a short 15 to 25 cm and the second is often just a knob. These animals are famously vocal, communicating through yelps, whistle-blows, and song-like sounds.

Once found across Southeast Asia and India, these rhinos are now restricted to Indonesian Borneo and Sumatra. They inhabit lowland and highland rainforests, swamps, and cloud forests, often favoring hilly areas near water. They are solitary and most active at dawn and dusk, spending much of the day wallowing in mud to regulate their temperature and deter parasites. Their diet is high in fiber, consisting of around 50 kg of saplings, leaves, and shoots daily.

Breeding is a slow process; a single calf is born after a 15 to 16 month gestation and remains with its mother for up to three years. The species faces severe pressure from illegal poaching, driven by the high market price of horns used in traditional beliefs. Habitat loss from logging also impacts them, though they can withstand various forest conditions. Today, fewer than 80 mature individuals are estimated to remain in the wild.