KOTA KINABALU: A wildlife photographer who had the privilege of spending time with Kertam the Sumatran rhinoceros is hoping the species could be saved after the last male rhino died on Monday.
Charles Ryan said the death of Kertam, or Tam, due to multiple organ failures is a wake-up call for the species.
He added that the species has a last chance to survive, with the need for the last female rhino Iman to be involved in a breeding programme.
“It makes me sad that this is yet another step towards the extinction of the Sumatran rhino. I fear that it is too late for the species to survive.
“People need to wake up and see that we are going through a mass extinction because of what we as humans are doing to this planet,” he told the New Straits Times.
Charles, who has been leading trips for National Geographic since 2014 until now, said it was a special moment to be with Tam when it was alive.
For the past four years, he had been to Borneo Rhino Sanctuary in Tabin between five and six times a year.
“I had spent time while they (Tam’s caretakers) were feeding and bathing him, sat out and watched him in the wallow in the new rhino facility.
“People were always thrilled to see such a charismatic species, and it was always special to see something that was so rare,” Charles added.
He also said that he has a high regard for Sabah-based non-governmental organisation Borneo Rhino Alliance's executive director Datuk Dr John Payne and senior veterinarian Dr Zainal Zainuddin, as well as the team who have been working relentlessly for years to save the Sumatran rhino.
On Tuesday, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Christina Liew had said that the hope for the survival of the species lies in the cooperation between Malaysia and Indonesia for a breeding programme.
Liew, who is also the state Tourism, Culture and Environment minister said if the Indonesian government agrees to it, experts will assist in the egg harvesting from Iman can be fertilised in the laboratory through in vitro fertilisation with sperm from the Indonesian male rhino.