Notes from the artist, Christopher Reiger:
Animals figure prominently in my drawings and paintings. Usually, however, there is plenty of photographic art scrap to use as source material. In the case of the Javan Rhinoceros, this is definitely not the case!
In order to minimize stress for the critically endangered rhino, researchers study the species via fecal sampling and camera traps; the animals are rarely encountered or observed. As a general rule, the Javan Rhino is wary of humans and retreats into dense forests when they sense our presence. When humans do approach, whether intentionally or by mistake, the Javan Rhino becomes aggressive and will often attack, stabbing with the incisors of its lower jaw while thrusting upward with its head. Of course, such wariness and aggression are good survival tactics, but it makes the rhinos extremely difficult to study. (Interestingly, some researchers contend that these behaviors are a recent adaptation to population stresses. Historical records indicate that the species was once more gregarious.)
Because so little photographic documentation is available, this drawing marked the first time I've had to work from both images and written descriptions. It was a very curious process, and I hope that I've done the Javan Rhino justice!
About The International Rhino Foundation:
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) works for the survival of the world’s rhino species by providing the technical (scientific, educational, administrative) and financial resources necessary to facilitate the conservation and research of rhinos. The IRF promotes the involvement of local communities in the conservation of rhino species, and advances the expertise of range-state professionals through training.
The IRF strives to protect the most critically endangered of all rhino species, Indonesia’s Javan rhino, via IRF-funded protection measures. As a result of this work, there has not been a single rhino poaching incident in the park in the past 5 years, and the population has stabilized at around 50 animals. IRF recently helped the Indonesian government develop a strategy for ensuring the continued survival of Javan rhinos, and aims to increase the population in Ujung Kulon National Park to 70 animals (the park’s carrying capacity) and to then translocate several animals to begin establishing a second population in a secure area.
Animals figure prominently in my drawings and paintings. Usually, however, there is plenty of photographic art scrap to use as source material. In the case of the Javan Rhinoceros, this is definitely not the case!
In order to minimize stress for the critically endangered rhino, researchers study the species via fecal sampling and camera traps; the animals are rarely encountered or observed. As a general rule, the Javan Rhino is wary of humans and retreats into dense forests when they sense our presence. When humans do approach, whether intentionally or by mistake, the Javan Rhino becomes aggressive and will often attack, stabbing with the incisors of its lower jaw while thrusting upward with its head. Of course, such wariness and aggression are good survival tactics, but it makes the rhinos extremely difficult to study. (Interestingly, some researchers contend that these behaviors are a recent adaptation to population stresses. Historical records indicate that the species was once more gregarious.)
Because so little photographic documentation is available, this drawing marked the first time I've had to work from both images and written descriptions. It was a very curious process, and I hope that I've done the Javan Rhino justice!
About The International Rhino Foundation:
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) works for the survival of the world’s rhino species by providing the technical (scientific, educational, administrative) and financial resources necessary to facilitate the conservation and research of rhinos. The IRF promotes the involvement of local communities in the conservation of rhino species, and advances the expertise of range-state professionals through training.
The IRF strives to protect the most critically endangered of all rhino species, Indonesia’s Javan rhino, via IRF-funded protection measures. As a result of this work, there has not been a single rhino poaching incident in the park in the past 5 years, and the population has stabilized at around 50 animals. IRF recently helped the Indonesian government develop a strategy for ensuring the continued survival of Javan rhinos, and aims to increase the population in Ujung Kulon National Park to 70 animals (the park’s carrying capacity) and to then translocate several animals to begin establishing a second population in a secure area.
ABOUT THE JAVAN RHINOCEROS
The Javan, or Sunda, Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), is one of five extant rhinoceros species. The species was once widespread throughout Asia but is today critically endangered. There are currently between 37 and 44 Javan Rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park, in West Java Indonesia, and no more than 5 in Cat Tien National Park, in Vietnam. Sadly, with only two known populations in the wild and none in captivity, this rhino species may be the rarest large mammals on our planet.
The Javan Rhinoceros is especially vulnerable to poaching. Rhino horns are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, and sell for as much as $30,000 per kilogram. Loss of habitat is also a major threat, with the 20th century wars in Southeast Asia significantly contributing to the species's decline. The remaining ranges are within two nationally protected areas, but the rhinos remain at risk from poachers, disease, and loss of genetic diversity. Excepting humans, adult rhinos have no predators.
The Javan Rhino lives between 30 - 45 years in the wild. Like all rhinos, the Javan Rhino smells and hears well, but has very poor vision. It is herbivorous, feeding on diverse plant species, especially shoots, twigs, young foliage, and fallen fruit. Individual rhinos are mostly solitary, except for courtship and child-rearing, although groups of the rhinos may occasionally congregate near wallows and salt licks. The Javan Rhino belongs to the same genus as the larger Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and, like its cousin, has only one horn. The Javan Rhino does not use its horn for fighting or defense, but rather to scrape mud away in wallows, to pull down plants for eating, and to open paths through thick vegetation. Similar to the other browsing species of rhino (the Black, Sumatran, and Indian Rhinoceroses), the Javan Rhino has long, sharp lower incisors; when the Javan Rhino fights, it uses these impressive teeth. It inhabits lowland rain forest, wet grasslands, and large floodplains.
The Javan, or Sunda, Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), is one of five extant rhinoceros species. The species was once widespread throughout Asia but is today critically endangered. There are currently between 37 and 44 Javan Rhinos in Ujung Kulon National Park, in West Java Indonesia, and no more than 5 in Cat Tien National Park, in Vietnam. Sadly, with only two known populations in the wild and none in captivity, this rhino species may be the rarest large mammals on our planet.
The Javan Rhinoceros is especially vulnerable to poaching. Rhino horns are highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine, and sell for as much as $30,000 per kilogram. Loss of habitat is also a major threat, with the 20th century wars in Southeast Asia significantly contributing to the species's decline. The remaining ranges are within two nationally protected areas, but the rhinos remain at risk from poachers, disease, and loss of genetic diversity. Excepting humans, adult rhinos have no predators.
The Javan Rhino lives between 30 - 45 years in the wild. Like all rhinos, the Javan Rhino smells and hears well, but has very poor vision. It is herbivorous, feeding on diverse plant species, especially shoots, twigs, young foliage, and fallen fruit. Individual rhinos are mostly solitary, except for courtship and child-rearing, although groups of the rhinos may occasionally congregate near wallows and salt licks. The Javan Rhino belongs to the same genus as the larger Indian Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and, like its cousin, has only one horn. The Javan Rhino does not use its horn for fighting or defense, but rather to scrape mud away in wallows, to pull down plants for eating, and to open paths through thick vegetation. Similar to the other browsing species of rhino (the Black, Sumatran, and Indian Rhinoceroses), the Javan Rhino has long, sharp lower incisors; when the Javan Rhino fights, it uses these impressive teeth. It inhabits lowland rain forest, wet grasslands, and large floodplains.
