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PRESS RELEASE -
SOS RHINO CAMPAIGN SUPPORTED BY ZOO NEGARA, MALAYSIAN GOVERNMENT
AND INTERNATIONAL SPONSORS TO HELP SAVE THE SUMATRAN RHINO
Kuala Lumpur – Dr. Nan Schaffer is visiting Kuala Lumpur the
13 and 14 June to promote the saving of the seriously threatened
Malaysian Sumatran rhino is the catalyst behind an international
partnership announced today. SOS RHINO based in Southeast Asia and
Chicago, USA is assisting efforts by the Malaysian government and
the Zoo Negara to raise public awareness about the shy, hairy Sumatran
Rhino of Malaysia that teeters on extinction. The Zoo will host
an exhibit highlighting the rhino started June 5 and showing through
August.
With less than 300 Sumatran rhinos remaining, immediate action is
needed for this animal to survive, said Nan Schaffer, DVM, a representative
of SOS RHINO and an internationally recognized expert on rhino reproduction.
SOS RHINO is working to educate the public about the Sumatran rhino,
which, being a shy elusive animal, is not well known or understood
by the public. The program includes reaching the public with rhino
conservation messages through special exhibits at Zoo Negara, Kuala
Lumpur and broadcasting the message via local cable channels. The
goal is to raise funds to help support Sumatran rhino conservation
programs in Malaysia.
Dato’ Kington Loo, Chairman, Malaysian Zoological Society,
Zoo Negara, said funds raised through the collaborative effort would
go to Asian rhino conservation programs. “We hope our public
education efforts will raise awareness about the terrible situation
the Sumatran rhino faces today. Many people are unaware that this
species of rhino is so close to extinction”, he said.
“How tragic that we could witness in our lifetime the extinction
of an animal that has survived 40 million years”, said Dr.
Schaffer, whose 18 years of research in rhino reproduction may provide
answers to addressing the problem of saving a species nearly wiped
out by humans.
Dr. Schaffer has been providing technical assistance to the Malaysian
Wildlife Department since 1991. “The Malaysian Wildlife Department
has done a tremendous job working to preserve these rhinos”.
She said. “They need further support in their efforts”.
She believes public support can help save the Sumatran rhino through
raising awareness of the crisis created by the demand for rhino
horn products; supporting anti-poaching efforts; and protecting
the rhino’s natural habitat so it can breed and thrive.
SOS RHINO FUND provides financial and technical assistance for research,
education and public awareness to secure the survival of rhinos.
Contributions support research on rhino reproduction and nutrition;
rhino protection units that counter illegal poaching; public education
about the rhino; the purchase of much needed equipment; and the
upgrading of breeding facilities at Sungai Dusun, West Malaysia
and Sepilok, Sabah that provide sanctuary for rhinos.
Contributions made to SOS RHINO FUND at Zoo Negara Malaysia, Hulu
Kelang 68000 Ampang,Selangor D>E> Phone: 60 19 355-1506
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