Malaysia: Iman the rhino eats better as health improves

KRISTY INUS New Straits Times 3 Jan 18;

KOTA KINABALU: The sick Sumatran rhinoceros called Iman has shown improvement as its food intake reaches 40 to 50 per cent of her normal eating habit.

Iman, a female rhino, suffers from uterus tumour and is being fed with at least 10 different types of plants to improve its appetite.

Sabah Wildlife Department director Augustine Tuuga said six variety of plants were provided in its pen.

"It is also fed with about three to four kilogrammes of bananas and mangoes.

"The fruits are also used as a bait so that we can feed it with medicines," he said in a statement.

Augustine said the rhino was given mud packs twice a day to prevent cracked skins and ease its discomfort.

He said the sole of its hooves had been disintegrating since it came into the pen on the Dec 18, last year.

However, he said its recent bleeding was severe and this possibly was caused from the detached muscle tumour inside its uterus.

"We hope that the Tanexamic acid will stop the bleeding. The same treatment worked in its past three bleeding incidents.

“The main problem is that, with the massive bleeding in the uterus, cauterising the bleeding part might be the only way to stop it," he said.

However, Augustine said no known experts were available to perform the procedure.

He said said it was difficult to ascertain if the rhino would survive if the bleeding was not stopped soon.


Non-invasive treatment for cancer-ridden rhino
OLIVIA MIWIL New Straits Times 9 Jan 18;

KOTA KINABALU: The Sabah Wildlife Department will use a non-invasive approach to treat the last female Sumatran rhinoceros, who is suffering from uterine cancer.

Its director Augustine Tuuga said the authorities have agreed to stem the blood flowing out of her cervix and vagina.

“We hope that this (method) will give her time to heal and stop the bleeding.

“The approach is new but it has to be done,” he said in a statement today.

The female rhino, Iman, was diagnosed with uterine cancer last month.

Augustine said the department held several consultations with wildlife veterinarians from the United States, Africa and Germany on Iman’s treatment.

He said endoscopic cauterising of the bleeders was the best option. He, however, said the procedurue would be risky due to Iman’s weak condition.

Iman, who is kept at Tabin Wildlife Reserve in Lahad Datu with another male rhino Kertam, is lethargic and is sleeping most of the time after losing significant amounts of blood.

“When she sleeps, Iman will get her mud packs thrice a day.

“Iman's appetite varies each day but has increased slowly.

“She would come into the chute to be hand-fed by the keeper. We are also making sure that she takes her meds,” he said, adding that she was being fed with 15kg of food daily.