| Currently JHL is spearheading a cooperative rhino research and conservation program in Tabin that also involves resources and support from the WWF, SOS Rhino and the Singapore Zoological Gardens (SZG) Wildlife Conservation Fund (WCF). The rhino team includes a local Program Officer, research students, a veterinarian, 12 Field Assistants, Volunteers, and field scientists. The team detected a mother and calf during 2001 and their rangers are also assisting in anti-poaching activities. The SZG raised funds for the building of an SOS Rhino research station at Tabin and is building a research station for rhino scientists and researchers. This augments a scientists’ lodge built in Tabin by Trekforce in 2001. The work in Tabin is complemented by breeding research being done at the Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre and in Borneo-wide programs of WWF, SOS Rhino and the JHL. For example the WWF AREAS program is developing a framework for the operation of Rhino Protection Units (RPU) together with the JHL. These programs include efforts to quantify rhino populations throughout their range, to rescue any rhinos that come into conflict with humans activities and to undertake all possible initiatives necessary to keep the dwindling rhino population from lapsing into extinction. |
