Rhino horns are made of keratin. This material is found in your hair and fingernails.
Rhinos Research
At the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens, the work of one scientist showed promise. Terri Roth and her team developed ways of handling the rhinos that made their efforts more successful. In 2001, a captive rhino named Emi gave birth to a calf. Named Andalas, he became the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity in 112 years.
The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary has also been successful. It is home to seven rhinos. After falling into the pit, the new rhino was brought to a facility in Borneo. She has been named Pahu.
Emi nibbles on leaves with her baby at the Cincinnati Zoo, U.S.A.
Pahu’s Rescue
Veterinarians were on hand to guide Pahu into a crate. The crate was then loaded onto a truck. Heavy rains had choked the roads with debris. So, a local company sent a bulldozer to clear the way. Pahu was then given a police escort to the facility.
Pahu will be given time to settle in to her new home. In the meantime, plans continue to find other rhinos in the wild and give them new homes, too. The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary is nearly full. So, a new facility is being built.
For now, Pahu’s rescue marks another major step in rescuing the Sumatran rhino. The work is slow, but promising.
At the sanctuary, each rhino lives in its own section of rainforest.
