Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus)
Yeah, there’s two rhinos on the list. But with good reason: Only 72 are still alive as of 2019. The number of Javan rhinos increased from 68 the year before, but that’s still a painfully small number. The Javan rhino is the most endangered among its peers. Poaching and habitat loss are pushing the species to its limit. Still, the slight uptick in population numbers last year offers some hope for the critically endangered species.
Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia, released the image above in early July. These animals haven’t been captured on camera traps too many times, and in-human sightings are even rarer. In 2017, a photographer was able to take some incredible photos of one as part of a science mission. Enjoy this image as much as this rhino enjoys rolling in the mud.
