14 DAY TRIAL // Greenheads are bound to rejoice at the news that footprints of the critically endangered Sumatran rhinos have been discovered in Borneo for the first time in roughly two decades.
The footprints were found by conservationists in the region of East Kalimantan, Indonesia, and their presence in this area stands as proof that efforts to keep this species from becoming extinct are finally paying off.
Apart from their discovering these footprints, the conservationists have managed to identify several plant species that Sumatran rhinos are known to feed on.
Therefore, it is now being said that this particular part of Borneo can and most likely does accommodate several such critically endangered animals, the World Wildlife Fund informs us.
In the aftermath of the discovery of these footprints, the conservationists working in the area wish to roll out several green-oriented campaigns aimed at keeping these animals from being hunted or harmed in any other way.
“This is a very important finding to the world, and especially to Indonesia's conservation work, as this serves as a new record on the presence of Sumatran rhinos in East Kalimantan and especially in West Kutai,” argued Bambang Noviyanto, a specialist currently working with the local Forestry Minister.
“Information surrounding the presence becomes important to draft strategies to protect the population, if it is found to be viable and breeding, and to educate [people living around] the habitat where [traces] of rhinos have been found,” Bambang Noviyanto went on to argue.
Due to the fact that no Sumatran rhino has thus far been actually seen in this part of Borneo, conservationists are unable to say for sure whether or not the footprints were made by just one individual or by several such animals.
However, they plan to keep a close eye on the area and hope that it will not be long until they receive confirmation that a breeding population of Sumatran rhinos does indeed inhabit these lands.
According to several reports, only 275 Sumatran rhinos are now left to inhabit the wild, which is why the discovery of these new footprints in Borneo brings new hope for the survival of the species.