Sumatran rhinoceros  (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

The Sumatran rhinoceros once had an enormous range; from the Himalayan foothills, east to southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR, Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the islands of Sumatra and Borneo in Indonesia (1). Today, however, this species is only found in small pockets of its former range (4).

There are three recognised subspecies of the Sumatran rhinoceros: Dicerorhinus sumatrensis lasiotis, Dicerorhinus sumatrensis sumatrensis, and Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni (1). Today, it is thought that D. s. lasiotis is probably extinct, although populations may survive in northern Myanmar (1). D. s. harrissoni formerly occurred throughout the island of Borneo, but now is mainly found in Sabah (Malaysia), although a few individuals may still survive in Sarawak (Malaysia) and Kalimantan (Indonesia) (1). D. s. sumatrensis currently occurs only in parts of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia (1).

This species can live in a wide range of habitats, from low, swampy areas, to forest high in the mountains (2). However, it is mainly found in primary forest in hilly areas, close to water, and also depends on the presence of a salt lick (1) (2).