Source: International Rhino Foundation

Currently in Ujung Kulon National Park, the remaining Javan Rhinos after surviving the threat of Poachers and Habitat Loss faces a new threat to their survival. This is none other than the Arenga Palm! This species is able to thrive with little sunlight, growing rapidly till it had occupied as much as 60% of the park. This plants competes with other plant species which the Javan Rhinos are dependent on survival, and have been rather victorious even till this day. Thus, Javan Rhinos have lesser food than ever, which might act as a limiting factor in the growth of its population. With that, the park is speculated to have reached its maximum carrying capacity due to limited amount of food (Harfenist, 2014)! Carrying capacity here is defined as maximum population size of the species which the environment can sustain in terms of food, habitat, water and other needed resources.

The origin of this particular species in this area is not well studied, and thus unknown. It could have been humans that have introduced this particular species to the area intentionally or unintentionally, or it could have been introduced to the area by moving wild life.

So after learning the many threats that a Javan Rhino is facing, you may be wondering: