WWF urges Indonesia to work with Sabah to save rhinos

WWF-Malaysia has urged Indonesia to accept the eggs from the last remaining Sumatran rhinoceros in Malaysia for fertilisation work.

In a statement today, WWF-Malaysia said Malaysia and Indonesia must collaborate under a unified programme to ensure the survival of the species.

"This means that every remaining Sumatran rhino is facilitated to contribute to the survival of the genus and that every rhino, whether reproductively optimum or not, contributes eggs or sperm or cells," said WWF-Malaysia.

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of five rhinoceros species and is critically endangered. The animal is considered extinct in the wild in Malaysia.

Efforts to breed the species in Malaysia to save it from extinction have been futile.

In May, Malaysia's only male Sumatran rhinoceros - Tam - died of old age while the sole surviving female - Iman - is suffering from poor health.

Following this, the Sabah government has been attempting to convince the Indonesian government to collaborate on a breeding programme.

As Iman is still producing eggs, the Sabah government wants the eggs to be fertilised and implanted in a surrogate Indonesian rhinoceros.

Should the two governments come to an agreement, WWF-Malaysia said the WWF network would offer its support.

"We are optimistic that if we act now and act together, the extinction of the genus dicerorhinus can be wholly prevented," said WWF-Malaysia CEO Sophia Lim. - Mkini