A Sumatran rhinoceros named Indra follows his mother to a mud puddle. The two splash around before lying down side by side for a nap.  

Indra may seem like an ordinary rhino. But people celebrated when he was born in Indonesia last November. The same is true of Anggi. This female Sumatran rhino was born at the same sanctuary just two months earlier. 

Why were their births such big news? Sumatran rhinos are among the most endangered animals on Earth. There may be fewer than 50 of them left in the wild. 

“Sumatran rhinos are really rare,” says Stacy Strother. She works at the International Rhino Foundation. “So for this species, every single birth is a really big deal.”

Indra is a baby Sumatran rhinoceros. He follows his mother to a mud puddle. The two splash around. Then they lie down side by side for a nap.  

Indra may seem like an ordinary rhino. But people celebrated when he was born in Indonesia last November. The same is true of Anggi. She is a female Sumatran rhino. She was born at the same sanctuary just two months earlier. 

Why were their births such big news? Sumatran rhinos are among the most endangered animals on Earth. There may be fewer than 50 of them left in the wild. 

“Sumatran rhinos are really rare,” says Stacy Strother. She works at the International Rhino Foundation. “So for this species, every single birth is a really big deal.”

There are five rhino species. They live in Asia and Africa. In the early 1900s, as many as 500,000 rhinos roamed the wild. Today, that number is down to about 27,000. Sumatran rhinos are nearly extinct, or wiped out.

One big reason rhinos are in trouble is poaching. Hunters shoot the animals and saw off their horns, leaving the bodies behind. The horns can sell for $300,000 each.

Many people believe that the horns can cure illnesses. They are often turned into powder and used in medicines. But the horns don’t really have healing powers. 

Habitat loss is another threat. The human population in Indonesia is growing. More land is being cleared to make room for roads and homes. Rhinos have fewer places to live. 

There are five rhino species. They live in Asia and Africa. As many as 500,000 rhinos roamed the wild in the early 1900s. Today, that number is down to about 27,000. Sumatran rhinos are nearly extinct, or wiped out.

One big reason rhinos are in trouble is poaching. Hunters shoot the animals and saw off their horns. Then they leave the bodies behind. The horns can sell for $300,000 each.

Many people believe that the horns can cure illnesses. They are often turned into powder and used in medicines. But the horns don’t really have healing powers. 

Habitat loss is another threat. The human population in Indonesia is growing. More land is being cleared to make room for roads and homes. Rhinos have fewer places to live. 

Today, the sanctuary is home to 10 Sumatran rhinos. Armed guards protect the animals around the clock. And the rhinos get daily checkups.

Strother says Indra and Anggi are healthy and growing fast. She’s hopeful that the species can make a comeback. 

“Rhinos have been on this planet for millions of years,” Strother says. “It’s our responsibility to keep them here as long as possible.”

Today, the sanctuary is home to 10 Sumatran rhinos. Armed guards protect the animals around the clock. The rhinos get daily checkups.

Strother says Indra and Anggi are healthy and growing fast. She’s hopeful that the species can make a comeback. 

“Rhinos have been on this planet for millions of years,” Strother says. “It’s our responsibility to keep them here as long as possible.”