International Rhino Day 2020 – WKNP’s Success in Maintaining the Viability of the Sumatran Rhino’s Population

Way Kambas, 29 September 2020. The commemoration of International Rhino Day on 22 September 2020 gives special meaning to Sumatran Rhino conservationists in Way Kambas National Park, East Lampung, Lampung Province.

The existence of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary or known as the Suaka Rhino Sumatera gives special meaning to Way Kambas National Park, which is one of the ASEAN Heritage Parks (AHP) in Indonesia. The existence of the Sumatran Rhino which is increasingly threatened does not affect the commitment of rhino conservationists to maintain its sustainability from natural habitat and poaching.

Mr Subakir, SH, MH admitted that at the end of his position as Head of the Way Kambas National Park that success in protecting the Sumatran Rhino and other wildlife cannot be separated from the involvement of all parties, both the national park and partners who support Way Kambas National Park. “In field security, you cannot choose, but you must secure all the animals in Way Kambas National Park, even though they have different animal priorities by each partner. If rhinos are sustainable then other animals will be sustainable (umbrella animals). For the future, how to keep the rhino sustainable. Success is teamwork, no one is great on its own. This is thanks to fellow partners and the Community Forest Police Partners (MMP) who have also helped. With this collective struggle, I hope Allah will bless you, ”added Mr. Subakir in the introduction to the talk show initiated by YAPEKA and the ALeRT Association.

However, Mr. Arief Rubiyanto, S. Kh. (Executive Director of the ALeRT Association) as one of the speakers in this talkshow emphasized that the Sumatran Rhino is very easy to adapt to environmental changes. The existing survey methods actually need an update, because rhinos are very adaptable. Possible shifting of rhino habitat is due to disturbance and food availability factors. The patrol pattern must be changed not to follow the previous or existing path. Rhino habitat patterns in 2017 tend to be clustered and now tend to spread. The patrol system is still very conventional, because the former method is used. Activities outside the area need to be carried out to approach the community so as not to carry out illegal activities in the national park, its derivatives so that the community’s economy is lifted.

While the Dean of faculty of Mathematics and Natural Science on Lampung University, Dr. Eng. Suripto Dwi Yuwono, MT., said that the Lampung University supports the efforts to protect the Sumatran Rhino through research and community development by improving the quality of the human resources of Way Kambas National Park so far.

Talkshow moderated by Dra. Elly Jazzyk, MSc., lecturer of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, University of Lampung concluded by reaffirming the statement of the Head of Bali of Way Kambas National Park that the responsibility for protecting wildlife in natural habitats such as Way Kambas National Park is a common responsibility so that protection efforts for the national park area must be supported by public participation.