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...

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...

Interview with an RPU – Nur’s Commitment to Sumatran Rhinos

Nur Basuki has 16 years of service with the RPUs in Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra. He enjoys outdoor activity and wildlife and was happy to be selected from many applicants to join the RPUs in 2004. “Every patrol is interesting,” he says. “I enjoy seeing all of the wildlife like the Sumatran rhino,...

Interview with an RPU – Fadil Proudly Patrols Way Kambas

Fadil Kurniawan wanted to work in rhino conservation and had the opportunity to join the RPUs in Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra 3.5 years ago. Located in southeast Sumatra, Way Kambas is one of the last protected localities where habitats such as lowland rain forest, freshwater non-peat swamp, and mangrove swamp can be found....

Celebrating 25 Years of Rhino Protection in Indonesia

Facing habitat loss, encroachment by humans, and poaching for their horns, something had to be done to protect Indonesia’s two species of rhinos (Javan and Sumatran) from disappearing. On August 31 in 1995, the line was drawn and the first Rhino Protection Units were formed to guard rhinos and other wildlife from poaching threats. There...

Interview with an RPU – Marsum’s 22 Years of Service in BBS

Marsum patrols Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park in Sumatra and has been with the RPUs for 22 years. “It was my dream to a member of the RPU,” he says. Over his many years of service, Marsum has been thrilled to see many endangered species, including the Sumatran rhino while out on patrol. “In addition...