Malaysia Says Goodbye to Last Sumatran Rhino

Iman, 25, had actually died several times
By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 24, 2019 5:30 PM CST
Malaysia Says Goodbye to Last Sumatran Rhino
In this Aug. 18, 2019, photo, Sabah Deputy Chief Minister Christina Liew, left, looks at rhino "Iman" in cage in eastern Sabah state.   (Sabah Deputy Chief Minister’s Office via AP)

It's a sad day in Borneo, where Malaysia's last Sumatran rhino has died—meaning the species is gone in its native country, the Washington Post reports. The 25-year-old female, Iman, died of cancer in a sanctuary after dying multiple times from blood loss and being revived, per the local Star. Sumatran rhinos are already considered "critically endangered" with fewer than 80 left worldwide. Repopulating them is hard due to various factors, including people building on their habitats and the animals' solitary disposition. Turns out they're gentle creatures, too. "They're incredibly sweet," says expert Terri Roth, who admits they look like "big powerful beasts" but "if you capture them, they'll be eating out of your hand in 24 hours." (Read about Iman's male counterpart.)

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