Sumatra, Part 2: Saving the singing rhino

<p>Sumatran rhinos are unlike anything else in this world: small in stature and docile by nature, they sport a coat of fur and sing songs reminiscent of a dolphin. In other words, this ancient species surprises and enchants anyone lucky enough to encounter it.</p> <p>But <a href= "https://news.mongabay.com/list/sumatran-rhino/">Sumatran rhinos</a> are also one of the most endangered large mammals on the planet. While its population is difficult to pinpoint, experts estimate there could be as many as 80 – or as few as 30 – still in the wild, leaving their future in doubt.</p> <p>To understand the wonder and worry associated with this species, Mongabay Explores podcast host Mike DiGirolamo speaks with two guests, <a href= "https://www.iccs.org.uk/person/wulan-pusparini">Wulan Pusparini</a> and <a href= "https://news.mongabay.com/by/jeremy-hance/">Jeremy Hance</a>, about the unique challenges of conserving them, what is being done for them currently, and what needs to happen in order to save them from extinction.</p> <p>Pusparini studied them as a species conservation specialist with the Wildlife Conservation Society before pursuing her Ph.D. in Environmental Conservation at Oxford University, while Hance is Mongabay’s senior correspondent who’s traveled Sumatra extensively to cover the species (and is the author of a new book about such travels, “<a href= "https://news.mongabay.com/2020/10/diary-of-a-great-environmental-journalist-and-bad-traveler-qa-with-jeremy-hance/"><em>Baggage</em></a>“).</p> <p>To learn more, see Mongabay's twin series authored by Hance on the conservation efforts and the scientific advances made in their captive breeding, here:</p> <ul> <li><a href= "https://news.mongabay.com/2017/11/worst-case-scenario-there-could-be-only-30-wild-sumatran-rhinos-left/"> "Is Anyone Going to Save the Sumatran Rhino?"</a></li> <li><a href= "https://news.mongabay.com/2018/09/1984-the-meeting-that-changed-everything-for-sumatran-rhinos/"> “The Rhino Debacle”</a></li> </ul> <p>Music heard during this episode is b