/PRNewswire/ -- Conservationists across the world are celebrating a pregnancy in one of the world's most endangered species, the Sumatran Rhino. The pregnancy of female Ratu, born in Indonesia, and male Andalas, the first of only three Sumatran rhinos born in captivity in more than 112 years, is giving hope to international rhino biologists. The breeding occurred at Indonesia's Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) in Way Kambas National Park following months of gradual introduction by scent, sound, sight and physical proximity. The calf is expected to be born in May 2011.
This is no ordinary pregnancy. Ratu wandered into a village just outside Way Kambas National Park in 2006; Andalas was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2001, raised at the Los Angeles Zoo and then transferred to SRS in 2007. With help from Dr. Robin Radcliffe of the International Rhino Foundation's (IRF) Rhino Conservation Medicine Program, the then-5 1/2-year-old Andalas journeyed more than 10,000 miles on a 63-hour trip by plane, truck and ferry.
"A combination of sound science, international collaboration among government, non-profits, and zoos, as well as timing and personal chemistry, has led to this groundbreaking event," said Dr. Susie Ellis, IRF executive director. "Sumatran rhino numbers have decreased by more than 50 percent over the last 15 years in the wild."
The Sumatran rhino population is estimated at approximately 200 individuals in the wild and 10 currently in captivity worldwide. Ratu's pregnancy represents the hope for a future generation.
Dr. Terri Roth, director of Cincinnati Zoo's Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) and vice president for IRF's Asia programs, has used her extensive training in reproductive biology to produce three Sumatran rhinos beginning with Andalas in 2001.
"Sumatran rhinos are very solitary by nature and aggressive towards one another except when a female is in estrus," said Dr. Roth. "Through science, we can determine when the female is ready to ovulate so she is paired with a male at the right time and fighting is minimized while the likelihood of conception is optimized. It is wonderful to see the science developed at CREW help our Indonesian colleagues achieve success in Sumatra."
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Showing posts with label rhinoceros. Show all posts
Showing posts with label rhinoceros. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Save The Rhinoceros, Not The Rhinovirus
(NAPSI)-If you've ever wondered what a rhinoceros and a rhinovirus have to do with each other, you may want to ask a world-renowned wildlife expert.
Jack Hanna, who has helped preserve the rhinoceros, one of the most endangered species on earth, is taking part in a new campaign to help people better understand the common cold.
The "Save the Rhinoceros; Not the Rhinovirus" campaign, a partnership between Hanna and the makers of a popular cold remedy, will feature media tours, online consumer information and a national sweepstakes with an African safari in Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy as the grand prize. A portion of sales, a minimum of $30,000, and an additional donation, up to $20,000, based on the number of sweepstakes entries, will be donated to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (www.lewa.org) and the Wilds rhinoceros conservation program (www.thewilds.org) at the end of the cold season.
According to Hanna, a longtime user of Zicam Cold Remedy, the world rhinoceros population has declined by 90 percent and there are only five species of rhinoceros left in the world. "This campaign is an innovative example of how responsible brands can help consumers, while working to preserve endangered wildlife such as the rhinoceros," said Hanna.
The campaign evolved from research showing many people are unaware that over 100 different types of rhinoviruses are among the leading cause of the common cold.
Zicam Cold Remedy is clinically proven to shorten the duration of the cold and lessen the severity of cold symptoms if used within the first 24 to 48 hours. Also, the rhinoceros, with its large horn and strong presence, is a visual reminder of how tough the common cold can be.
Hanna hopes that through this campaign, people will learn about taking care of themselves, especially how to get over a cold faster, while taking care of wildlife.
"My career and my passion have always been about wildlife conservation," said Hanna. "I have a special place in my heart for the rhinoceros. In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no true natural predators and, despite its size and antagonistic reputation, it is extremely easy to poach."
He hopes the program will get more people involved in learning about wildlife preservation.
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www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page
Jack Hanna, who has helped preserve the rhinoceros, one of the most endangered species on earth, is taking part in a new campaign to help people better understand the common cold.
The "Save the Rhinoceros; Not the Rhinovirus" campaign, a partnership between Hanna and the makers of a popular cold remedy, will feature media tours, online consumer information and a national sweepstakes with an African safari in Kenya's Lewa Wildlife Conservancy as the grand prize. A portion of sales, a minimum of $30,000, and an additional donation, up to $20,000, based on the number of sweepstakes entries, will be donated to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (www.lewa.org) and the Wilds rhinoceros conservation program (www.thewilds.org) at the end of the cold season.
According to Hanna, a longtime user of Zicam Cold Remedy, the world rhinoceros population has declined by 90 percent and there are only five species of rhinoceros left in the world. "This campaign is an innovative example of how responsible brands can help consumers, while working to preserve endangered wildlife such as the rhinoceros," said Hanna.
The campaign evolved from research showing many people are unaware that over 100 different types of rhinoviruses are among the leading cause of the common cold.
Zicam Cold Remedy is clinically proven to shorten the duration of the cold and lessen the severity of cold symptoms if used within the first 24 to 48 hours. Also, the rhinoceros, with its large horn and strong presence, is a visual reminder of how tough the common cold can be.
Hanna hopes that through this campaign, people will learn about taking care of themselves, especially how to get over a cold faster, while taking care of wildlife.
"My career and my passion have always been about wildlife conservation," said Hanna. "I have a special place in my heart for the rhinoceros. In the wild, the adult black or white rhino has no true natural predators and, despite its size and antagonistic reputation, it is extremely easy to poach."
He hopes the program will get more people involved in learning about wildlife preservation.
-----
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