A rare Javan rhino calf has been recorded in Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park, marking another encouraging moment for one of the world’s most endangered mammals.
A camera trap captured the young rhinoceros alongside its mother, Desy, on October 10, 2026. Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry announced the discovery on November 2.
Park officials estimate the calf was between one and two months old when filmed. The footage shows the young animal wallowing with its mother and actively following her through the forest.
A Fifth Calf for Desy
This is Desy’s fifth recorded calf, following births in 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2024. Conservation teams believe the father is a male rhinoceros named Musofa.
The Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus) survives only in Ujung Kulon National Park, on the western tip of Java. Its extremely limited range makes the species particularly vulnerable to disease, habitat disturbance and natural disasters.
According to park authorities, the latest birth highlights the importance of continued protection and wildlife monitoring. Conservation patrols help safeguard the forest where these critically endangered animals still reproduce naturally.
Yet one successful birth does not mean the species is recovering. Its future remains closely tied to the protection of its last remaining habitat.
For now, Desy and her calf offer a rare glimpse into the lives of an animal that few people will ever see in the wild.
Source: November 2, 2026. Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry,
Credits photos:
Hero Photo: Balai Taman Nasional Ujung Kulon / Kementerian Kehutanan RI – Ardi Adrono
Legend Hero:Desy and her fifth recorded calf, captured by a camera trap in Ujung Kulon National Park, Indonesia. Photo: TNUK / Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry.
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