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2012 declared International Year of the Rhino |
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Indonesia
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declared 2012 International Year of the Rhino during World Environment Day in Jakarta last Tuesday. Indonesia is among 11 countries supporting the initiative led by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
"In conjunction with the 2012 World Environment Day, I declare 2012 as the International Rhino Year. We've agreed to preserve the rhinoceros and prevent their extinction," Yudhoyono said.
Other countries observing International Year of the Rhino include Malaysia, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Bhutan, Nepal, India and Zimbabwe.
Indonesia is home to the two-horned Sumatran rhinoceros and the single-horned Javan rhinoceros, the world's two most-endangered rhino species. According to the Forestry Ministry there are only 35 Javan rhinos remaining in Ujong Kulong National Park in West Java. Conservation experts estimate there are 200 Sumatran rhinos remaining in Leuser National Park in Aceh and in Way Kambas National Park in Lampung.
Last year, Vietnam reported the death of its last surviving Javan rhino.
Tempo
No. 42/12, June 13, 2012
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