Open AccessPreventing Global Extinction of the Javan Rhino: Tsunami Risk and Future Conservation Direction
Author(s) -
Setiawan Ridwan,
Gerber Brian D.,
Rahmat Ujang Mamat,
Daryan Daryan,
Firdaus Asep Yayus,
Haryono Mohammad,
Khairani Kurnia Okhtavia,
Kurniawan Yuyun,
Long Barney,
Lyet Arnaud,
Muhiban Muhiban,
Mahmud Rois,
Muhtarom Aom,
Purastuti Elisabet,
Ramono Widodo S.,
Subrata Dadan,
Sunarto Sunarto
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
conservation letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.153
H-Index - 79
ISSN - 1755-263X
DOI - 10.1111/conl.12366
Subject(s) - threatened species , national park , rhinoceros , population , geography , distribution (mathematics) , conservation status , extinction (optical mineralogy) , environmental resource management , socioeconomics , agroforestry , ecology , biology , habitat , environmental health , medicine , mathematical analysis , environmental science , mathematics , sociology , paleontology
The Javan rhino ( Rhinoceros sondaicus ) is one of the most threatened mammals on Earth. The only remaining individuals live as part of a small population isolated in a single protected area, Ujung Kulon National Park, Java, Indonesia. Despite almost a century of studies, little is known about the factors that affect Javan rhino demography and distribution. National park officials require such information to identify conservation strategies and track the success and failures of these efforts; translocating selected individuals to establish a second population has been considered, but the risks must be weighed. We show that the 2013 global population of Javan rhinos was 62 individuals, which is likely near the site's carrying capacity. Our analysis of rhino distribution indicates that tsunamis are a significant risk to the species in Ujung Kulon, justifying the risks of establishing additional populations. Continued individual‐based monitoring is needed to guide future translocation decisions.