How to help the Sumatran rhino

Today is International Rhino Day

We share the planet with five rhino species: the white and black rhinos of Africa, and the Sumatran, Javan, and Indian (Greater One-Horned) rhinos of Asia. While the Indian and southern white rhinos have seen significant recoveries, most rhinos remain critically endangered, teetering on the edge of extinction. The Northern White Rhino subspecies is down to just two individuals—a stark reminder of the fragility of life.

A month ago, I wrote a letter to my three-year-old daughter about the Sumatran rhino, a species whose survival hangs by a thread. It is a letter I hope to never deliver: An apology for allowing this remarkable creature to vanish from the wild.

In those words, however, I express hope that “This letter can remain a warning, not a farewell.”

“There is still time to act, to change the course of history. If we come together, if we fight with everything we have, we can save this species before it blinks out forever,” I wrote.

“And one day, you can tell your children that when it mattered most, we stood up and chose to protect life—no matter how difficult, no matter how late, no matter how small the chance.”

Since sharing this letter, many have asked what they can do to help the Sumatran rhino. The current focus to save the species is on captive breeding, a controversial but necessary strategy that involves bringing the remaining wild rhinos into carefully managed facilities in Indonesia. But there is more that can be done:

First, we must emphasize to the Indonesian government the global significance of the Sumatran rhino. This is not about placing blame but about fostering pride and encouragement. The Sumatran rhino is a national treasure, as iconic to Indonesia as the panda is to China. It’s also crucial to recognize that, as consumers, our choices—whether in the products we buy or the politicians we elect—have direct and indirect impacts on wildlife and wild places.

Second, support the organizations managing sanctuaries where the last battle to save the Sumatran rhino is being fought. These dedicated groups are the final line of defense in stabilizing rhino populations: International Rhino Foundation, Save the Rhino International, and Yayasan Badak Indonesia.

Third, raise awareness. The Sumatran rhino is a living relic, irreplaceable in its uniqueness. Losing it would be a tragedy not just for Indonesia, but for the world. Tell your friends about this remarkable creature.

Lastly, we must support efforts to protect and restore the habitats where rhinos live. This involves collaborating with local communities who share these landscapes. Their participation is vital to ensuring that these lands remain safe havens for the rhinos.

On this day, let’s remind ourselves that extinction is not inevitable. It is a choice—one that we still have time to make.