Guest guest Posted September 9, 2006 Report Share Posted September 9, 2006 Rhino patrol hits the jackpot-New Straits Times *07 Sep 2006* ------------------------------ *KOTA KINABALU: A routine SOS Rhino patrol in the jungles of Sabah has yielded its sweetest fruit yet — the first ever video footage of the elusive Sumatran rhino- ceros in the wild. * The clip, which lasts several seconds, was shot with a hand-held camera last week, and comes three months after WWF-Malaysia and the Sabah Wildlife Department released the first photograph ever captured of the elusive animal in the wild. A senior ranger heard a rustle in the bushes behind him, and captured the footage of the running adult male. It will soon be uploaded on the SOS Rhino web site. SOS Rhino Borneo programme officer Dr M.S. Thayaparan said scientists rely on rhino tracks and other signs in the jungle to determine the sex ratio and health of the species. " This sighting is very encouraging. We have been tracking these animals for almost 10 years in Sabah. " We are excited about the video clip because we were able to determine the sex of the animal and its health. We had to depend on guesswork before this, " he said. Sabah Wildlife Department deputy director Laurentius Ambu said prospects for rhinos were positive if the footage was anything to go by. " We reckon rhinos are breeding. We have seen the tracks of adults and juveniles. " He said a rhino survey had been done at Danum Valley. A full-scale survey will be conducted in November at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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