Rhinoceros sondaicus ssp. annamiticus (Vietnamese Rhino)

[sebbe67]

The Javan rhino wad thought to be gone from the Asian mainland by the 1850-1920, and several subspecies was also lost for ever. But in July 1999 a population was rediscovered in South Vietnam of the long lost Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus, it has so far only been recorded from a single national park and extinction seems to be close for this rhino the population are thought to be 4-8 animals.

[Melly]

Here is one of the famous press pictures which was published by the WWF

www.asianrhinos.org.au/images/javan_copyright_wwf.jpg

[sebbe67]

here is another picture

www.wwfindochina.org/images/CTNP_Species-1.jpg

so far no rhinos in Vietnam has been seen "live" its only known from a few photograps taken by night cameras

[Irbis]

Photos by night cameras
www.animalinfo.org/image/rhinsond3%2032.jpg
www.animalinfo.org/image/rhinsond4%2023.jpg

Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus
The Vietnamese subspecies of Rhinoceros sondaicus is perhaps the rarest of all rhino taxa with only 2 - 7 animals known to survive. Indeed the most recent surveys cast doubts that there are any adult males surviving. If true, some more intervention actions may be need beyond mere protection
www.rhinos-irf.org/rhinoinformation/javanrhino/subspecies/vietnamese.htm

[david]

I can see this subspecies extinct soon, and what about inbreding? Have we taken it's DNA like the Pyrenean Ibex? The first post mentions other extinct subspecies, what are their names?

[sebbe67]

Do you mean the other mainland subspecies?

Its extinct however and ranged from East India, Bangladesh and maybe Burma

here is a thread about it

extinctanimals.proboards22.com/index.cgi?board=artiodactyla&action=display&thread=1131044537

[Irbis]

Estimated population of the viatnemese javan rhino:
* 1989: At most 10 - 15 (Schaller et al. 1990)
* 1991: 8 - 12 (Polet et al. 1999)
* 1993: 7 - 9 (Polet et al. 1999)
* 1998: 5 - 7 (Polet et al. 1999)
* 1999: 7 - 8 (Polet et al. 1999)
* 2001: 5 - 8 (Intl. Rhino Found. 2002)
* 2005: 2 - 7 (Intl. Rhino Found. 2005)
Source:www. animalinfo.org

All the vietnamese rhino live in Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam.
The International Rhino foundation wrote:
"The Vietnamese subspecies of Rhinoceros sondaicus is perhaps the rarest of all rhino taxa with only 2 - 7 animals known to survive. Indeed the most recent surveys cast doubts that there are any adult males surviving. If true, some more intervention actions may be need beyond mere protection"

Distribution of javan Rhino


Cat Tien NP


Action for vietnamese javan rhino
"The IRF has worked closely with other partners, especially WWF and USFWS, to provide technical assistance for development and implementation of the strategy and action plan for the tiny remnant of the Javan Rhino subspecies, Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus, that survives in Vietnam. Currently, an RPU approach is being applied. However, recent evidence suggests that perhaps no adult males survive in this population, which continues to be under intense pressure from habitat loss and poacher activity. A more intensive management approach may soon be required for this species."

wrong chances for long-time survivor (

[sebbe67]

thanks for the maps Irbis, hadent seen those before

[Melanie]

According to this article extinctanimals.proboards22.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1137881775 it is extinct again. Moved to extinct?

[RSN]

How many subspecies of R. sondaicus as been described?

[RSN]

Ah, only the two ones that I already know?
Indonesian (Rhinoceros sondaicus sondaicus)
Vietnamese (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus)

[Melanie]

There were at least 3 subspecies:

A third subspecies (Rhinoceros sondaicus inermis) once occurred in eastern India and adjacent regions of the Asian mainland, but is now extinct.

www.rhinos-irf.org/rhinoinformation/javanrhino/subspecies/

[RSN]

It´s man extinction cause or is pre-historic?

[Melanie]

It's a man extinction. See related thread: extinctanimals.proboards22.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=artiodactyla&thread=1131044537&page=1

[kk1]

melanie said:

According to this article extinctanimals.proboards22.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=general&thread=1137881775 it is extinct again. Moved to extinct?

The 2 horned rhino would be the Sumatran not the Javan.

[kk1]

www.wwfindochina.org/resources/backissues/Newsletter_Vol_27.htm#story 3

At least 1 still there...

[sebbe67]

Status in Cambodia

www.rhinoresourcecenter.com/ref_files/1175857709.pdf

[ada]

Well the long history of the mainland subspecies seems to be coming to a final end. Maybe if there are only a few left, than they should be captured and transported to Ujung Kulon to diversify the genetic pool of the Javan Rhinoceros there?

I'm not sure about that, I'm just thinking out loud.

[Deleted]

ada said:

I'm not sure about that, I'm just thinking out loud.

In fact this is a very good question, but also one that cannot be answered.

Both forms are different subspecies, and if both would be crossed, both would dissappear genetically.

On the other hand both would survive !

This is one of the many occasions where no-one knows what's wrong, what's right.

[Melanie]

Source: birdlifeindochina.org/report_pdfs/babbler22_23.pdf