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      1. Priority Species
        1. Rhinos
          1. Asian rhinos

Javan rhinoceros

Javan rhinoceros

Rare, mysterious, and highly threatened

Common Name  

Javan rhinoceros, lesser one-horned rhino;
Rhinocéros de la Sonde (Fr);
Rinoceronte de Java(Sp)
Scientific Name   Rhinoceros sondaicus
Habitat   Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Location   Western Indonesia, Eastern Indochina
Status  

IUCN: Critically Endangered C2a(i); D
CITES: Appendix I
Population   28-56 in Ujung Kulon National Park, Java, Indonesia; no more than 8 in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam

Related Links

Background

This information has been reviewed by A. Christy Williams, Coordinator, WWF Asian Rhinoceros and Elephant Action Strategy.

The Javan (or lesser one-horned) rhino is probably the rarest large mammal species in the world, and is on the brink of extinction. Fewer than 60 individuals are thought to survive in the wild, and there are none in captivity.

Human population pressures in the two protected areas where Javan rhinos are known to exist - Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia and Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam - are extremely high. Poaching is an ever-present threat. WWF is active in both Ujung Kulon and Cat Tien, but the battle for the survival of the Javan rhino is still a long way from being won.

» WWF Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy
» Staying Power: WWF On The Ground in Ujung Kulon - see the web feature!

Physical Description

  • Indonesian Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus sondaicus)
  • Vietnamese Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus)
The Javan rhino is a dusky grey colour and has a single horn, about 25 cm; the skin has a number of loose folds giving the appearance of armour plating. This species is very similar in appearance to the closely-related Indian rhinoceros, but is slightly smaller, with a much smaller head and the skin folds less apparent than in the Indian rhino. Recent evidence suggests that the horn may be absent or very small in females. The upper lip is pointed and can be used to grasp food and bring it to the mouth.

Size
The species weight ranges between 900-2,300 kg, and the body length between 2-4 m. This rhino can reach up to 170 cm.

Colour
The species is grey in colour.

Habitat

Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests

Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan

Range States
Indonesia, Vietnam

Geographical Location
Western Indonesia, Eastern Indochina

Ecological Region
Western Java Mountain Forests, Indochina Dry Forests

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