Two New Javan Rhino Babies Bring Population to 74!

Just one day ahead of World Rhino Day we are thrilled to share that Indonesia’s Ministry of Environment and Forestry has announced that the world’s only remaining population of Javan rhinos has increased to 74 individuals in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP)! The current count is the result of data collected through the end of...

How to Help Rhinos on World Rhino Day

Since 2011, World Rhino Day has been celebrated internationally on September 22nd. The International Rhino Foundation recognizes World Rhino Day as day of awareness for the threats facing all five rhino species, and celebrates rhinos and all those around the world who care about them. Throughout the year and especially around World Rhino Day, we’re...

2020 State Of The Rhino

The impacts of COVID-19 have been felt across the world. We hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy. Our priority remains keeping our staff, field partners and rhinos safe and as such we have put increased protection, monitoring and additional safety protocols in place. In Africa, rhinos have seen a short...

Happy 19th Birthday Andalas

Happy 19th Birthday Andalas Andalas made history on September 13, 2001 when he was born at the Cincinnati Zoo. He was the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity in more than 100 years. His name is an ancient Indonesian word for the island of Sumatra. Andalas’ parents, Emi and Ipuh, were part of an international...

How Do You Host a Fundraiser During a Pandemic? Resourceful Zookeepers Are Finding Ways

Every year for the last for 30 years, the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK) has organized a fundraising and awareness initiative for rhino conservation known as 'Bowling for Rhinos,' or BFR. Photo courtesy of Portland AAZK. “AAZK realized that the animal keepers of the world were extremely conservation oriented and wanted to help save rhinos...

Interview with an RPU – Bahara Celebrates 25 Years as One of the Original RPUs

Bahara joined the RPUs at its inception in 1995 at Kerinci Seblat National Park in Sumatra, eventually moving to Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. IRF is honored to tell his story of 25 years of service. Bahara was involved in a Sumatran rhino capture program in the early 1990’s. He jumped at the chance to...

Interview with an RPU – Endin’s Close Encounter with Javan Rhinos

Endin has been part of the RPUs in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP) for 12 years. He is descended from the original people to inhabit UKNP and wanted to work to protect the Javan rhino. “The Javan rhino is a symbol for our community and we believe they are part of our ancestry,” he explains....

Interview with an RPU – Tisno Protects Javan Rhinos for Future Generations

Tisno joined the RPUs in Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP) in Java in 2006. He wanted to protect Javan rhinos and their habitat and has been doing so for 16 years. “The Javan rhino is a living fossil,” he explains. “We want to protect them so our children and grandchildren can continue to see them...

Interview with an RPU – Jajat, a Third Generation Javan Rhino Protector

Jajat Sudrajat became a member of the first Rhino Protection Units established to patrol Ujung Kulon National Park (UKNP) in Java in 1998. UKNP is the last remaining habitat for the critically endangered Javan rhino, and thanks to the RPUs, there has not been a poaching incident in more than 20 years in the park....

Interview with an RPU – Bambang’s Direct Rhino Sightings

Bambang Meiyono joined the RPUs in Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra in 2000. He applied because he needed a job at the time, but after 20 years of service, he has come to realize how special it is to be an RPU member. He enjoys all of the activities of the RPUs, but his...