Conservationists in Indonesia may be on the verge of a breakthrough after trained dogs discovered signs of Sumatran rhinos in Way Kambas National Park a place where the species was long thought extinct. The findings if confirmed could reshape conservation efforts for one of the world rarest animals.
Hope Rekindled After Years of Silence
For years, experts believed no rhinos remained in Way Kambas, despite extensive searches using drones, camera traps, and ranger patrols. But recently, two dogs named Yagi and Quinn from the NGO Working Dogs for Conservation detected several samples of what is believed to be rhino dung. One initial test has linked the scat to the critically endangered Sumatran rhino, with two more tests pending before the Indonesian government can officially confirm the discovery.
Nina Fascione, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation, admitted she was convinced the park had no rhinos left. “We tried everything, but nothing worked. Bringing in dogs felt like the last step,” she said. “If this scat is confirmed, I’ll be more than happy to be proven wrong.”
Dogs Lead the Way in Conservation
Pete Coppolillo, head of Working Dogs for Conservation, said the animals are specially trained to identify rare wildlife. “With fewer than 50 Sumatran rhinos left worldwide, finding even one is a huge deal,” he explained. The dogs were trained using dung from captive rhinos and managed to locate samples in just two days of fieldwork.
The Sumatran rhino, known for its hairy body and elusive nature, is one of the most threatened mammals on Earth, with an estimated wild population of only 34 to 47 individuals. Conservationists now hope that Way Kambas may still harbor a small, hidden population. If confirmed, experts suggest any surviving rhinos should be included in breeding programs to secure the species’ genetic future.