Inp.polri.go.id - East Lampung. Minister of Forestry Raja Juli Antoni has confirmed plans to expand the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) in East Lampung to strengthen conservation efforts for the critically endangered species.

The expansion includes a new enclosure, or “ring,” capable of housing five rhinos. 

“Each rhino requires a territory of 10–20 hectares. To accommodate potential new births, the sanctuary’s area must grow,” the minister explained during his visit on Saturday (7/12/2024).

The new ring, designed to replicate the rhinos’ natural habitat, is expected to enhance their health and well-being. 

“If their food supply in one area is depleted, they naturally move to another. This necessitates a larger space,” he said, as quoted by antaranews.com.

Jansen Manansang, the Executive Director of the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, shared that with the addition, SRS will have three enclosures covering 120 hectares each, hosting up to 15 rhinos. Currently, SRS houses 10 rhinos—six males and four females.

Efforts are also underway to relocate wild rhinos identified in Way Kambas National Park through DNA analysis. 

“Bringing them into the sanctuary is crucial for population growth,” Jansen noted, emphasizing the urgency of conservation initiatives.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)