Javan rhinos have been driven to the brink of extinction as their horns are highly valued in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, although most countries in the region have banned the trade
The body of the male rhino was found inside West Java’s Ujung Kulon national park, the creature’s last remaining habitat.
Its death was believed to be from old age rather than poaching.
The animal has been driven to the brink of extinction as their horns are highly valued in traditional Chinese and Korean medicine, although most countries in the region have banned the trade.
“We found it on (Monday) and are now performing an autopsy,” said environment ministry spokesman Djati Witjaksono Hadi.
The 40-year-old rhino didn’t had any offspring, he added.
Javan and Sumatran rhinos are classified as “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Javan rhino is distinguished from African rhinos by its smaller size, single horn and loose skin folds which give it the appearance of wearing armour plating.
Download our app and read this and other great stories on the move. Available for Android and iOS.
