Malaysia: Rhino Iman eating more as her health improves

OLIVIA MIWIL New Straits Times 23 Dec 17;

KOTA KINABALU: The cancer-stricken Sumatran rhinoceros is showing improvement, said Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga.

Iman, the country's last female rhino, has been eating more food and managed to defecate and urinate as compared to last week when she was diagnosed with uterine cancer.

Before this, the pain caused by the cancer had affected Iman's appetite and hydration status.

"Apart from her bloody vaginal discharge she is eating more each day although it is still inadequate.

"She consumed 1.5 kilogramme of mixed browse in the morning and another 1.5 kg in the afternoon," Augustine said in a statement, adding there would be more feeding when Iman wakes up at 8pm and 10pm.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga says Iman has been eating more. Pic courtesy Sabah Wildlife Department.
Iman, who is being cared at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu, has her body covered with mud to keep her for cool and prevent insect bites.

Augustine added she was also being given intravenous fluids and antibiotics.

Iman was the last wild rhino found in Malaysia. She was captured in the Danum Valley and transported to the wildlife reserve in March 2014.

Despite being diagnosed with severe fibroids, she still produced eggs for previous in-vitro fertilisation attempts.

The country lost another female rhino, Puntung, about six months ago.

Puntung was euthanised on June 4 after suffering from skin cancer.