Comments on: Sumatran Rhino Discovered in Borneo Jungles

By: Bob Michaels

Bob Michaels — Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:51:13 +0000

Read a new book Wild Borneo ISBN 1-84537-376-2. Produced in association with WWF- Malaysia in support of the Heart of Borneo -Project. The Eastern race of the Sumatran Rhino in Borneo is Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni, it is confined to Borneo, that is the Hairy one. Check out the Pygmy Elephants.

By: kittenz

kittenz — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 11:49:40 +0000

I think that all Rhinos count as “living fossils” because they are remnants of the Pleistocene megafauna. As such they are probably all living on borrowed time.

I sure hope that all of the species can be preserved as viable breeding populations. It would be a shame for humans to homogenize the world to such an extent that the only animals surviving are domestic animlas and commensals such as rats.

By: youcantryreachingme

youcantryreachingme — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 06:30:00 +0000

This National Geographic Article shows the actual photo which was taken of the rhinoceros found in the Bornean wild. Reporter Victoria Gilman quotes M.S. Thayaparan ("field program officer for SOS Rhino in Borneo") as saying "We have been tracking these animals here in [the Malaysian state of] Sabah for almost ten years now, and although we have seen tracks and signs of the rhino, this is the actual first sighting of a rhino in the wild" ... but the thing is - if you check out the photo, the animal looks as if one horn has been cut off. Does anyone else see this? Or is this standard anatomy for the species? Wikipedia reports that this species' horn fetches about US$200 per gram...

By: Loren Coleman

Loren Coleman — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 05:20:05 +0000

True. Not said to be “unknown.” That’s why we can talk about it as a living fossil. Why I posted photos of it. But the re-discovery in this specific area is the news.

And then the debate over its links to the wooly rhinos is interesting too.

By: monswine

monswine — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 05:00:33 +0000

This animal isnt unknown. It was ''hidden'' for a while but people knew it was there. This is just like finding wolves in Germany or in Yellowstone. They've dissapeared in other places and everyone hopes they still live in this one place, biologists find tracks, trampled leaves, droppings, and other signs of their survival there, and then one just happens to wander in front of the camera. Not a brand new species, not something thought lost to science for millions of years, just a confirmation of the continuing survival of a very rare species.

By: English Boy

English Boy — Tue, 12 Sep 2006 12:15:08 +0000

great looking rhino

By: oldbutnotstupid

oldbutnotstupid — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 21:09:32 +0000

Nice rediscovery. Very inspiring. But Shumway 10973 , I like your question. good one indeed. I wish I could answer it. Maybe someone can. Veeeery interesting

By: shovethenos

shovethenos — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 17:45:21 +0000

shumway-

If you look at the photo the hair looks pretty wispy and thin – sort of like orangutans, who live in the same climate.

By: MattBille

MattBille — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 17:22:03 +0000

I’m not clear on how much of a “discovery” this really was as opposed to simply verifying the animal still existed in an already-known habitat.

By: shumway10973

shumway10973 — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 16:36:00 +0000

That is awesome! Only one question, what is a hairy rhino doing in one of the hottest jungles on earth? Did one of its ancestors take a wrong turn at Albuquerque?