Rhinos’ survival vital in Heart of Borneo’s sustainably managed forest

WWF 9 Jul 09;

Kota Kinabalu – WWF-Malaysia’s Borneo Species Programme team has captured images of the near-extinct Sumatran rhino in the Heart of Borneo, a female believed to be about twenty years old, thus strengthening the argument to sustainably manage the forests in this part of the region.

Raymond Alfred, Senior Manager of the programme, highlights the importance of strong and co-ordinated enforcement in the forest reserves by the Sabah Forestry Department, Sabah Wildlife Department and Sabah Foundation, with support from the Royal Malaysian Police, to ensure the survival of this endangered species in Borneo.

Consistent monitoring of the rhino population here has so far identified the presence of two rhino calves.

“The future of rhinos in Borneo now depends on how seriously the forest reserves can be managed sustainably with effective monitoring carried out and supported by appropriate activities,” said Raymond Alfred.

The current enforcement and survey work in this area is supported by HONDA Malaysia. WWF-Malaysia is working with the Sabah Forestry to look into sustainably managing Forest Management Units (FMUs).

Based on long-term field survey data, the rhino monitoring and survey activities in other forests by the programme team strongly shows that the home range of the rhinos is also affected by oil palm expansion near the eastern coastline of Sabah.

Alfred emphasizes that the rhinos’ key habitat in this forest may still or could be connected; especially between the Tabin Wildlife Reserve and Lower Kinabatangan River region.

“However, further conversion of the natural forests, especially those located adjacent to swamp-mangrove forests, into mono-plantation (particularly oil palm) would further eliminate the important corridor connecting these two key rhino areas,” he added.

WWF-Malaysia believes that full support and co-operation from the relevant oil palm companies, whose lands are located adjacent to the swamp-mangrove forest, to restore the corridor and also address illegal encroachment would help support the survival of rhinos in Sabah.