Six months after Malaysia’s second-to-last living female Sumatran rhinoceros, Puntung, passed away, the only remaining female of the species is reportedly gravely ill.
The rhino, named Iman, lives in Sabah’s Tabin Forest Reserve in Lahad Datu and has been stricken with multiple uterine leiomyoma tumors that began bleeding internally three days ago.
Reserve officials reported in a statement today that while the condition can be treated with medication and supplements, Iman is unwilling to take any of these and charges at anyone trying to come near her. She is refusing to leave her mud pit, and barely eats.
Medical officials believe that her largest tumor may have ruptured, and is causing the poor animal intense pain and bleeding.
Tabin Reserve has received unprecedented amounts of rain this year, totaling nearly six meters so far, causing Iman to be effectively entrenched in mud.
Iman’s veterinarians and keepers will continue to monitor her situation, but it’s with a heavy heart that we report the situation does not look good.
The Sumatran rhino was once abundantly found throughout Southeast Asia; however, after heavy illegal poaching, wildlife experts estimate that only 100 individuals remain. They are classified as critically endangered, with their population decreasing 50% per decade.
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