Wildlife Guide · Asia
Javan Rhino
Rhinoceros sondaicus
The rarest rhino on Earth
Image: Photo: T.Dixon. The Zoological Society of London / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
In brief
The Javan rhinoceros is the rarest of all rhino species, with roughly 70 individuals surviving in a single national park on Java, Indonesia. Smaller than the Indian rhino at 900–2,300 kg (2,000–5,000 lb), it has a single horn and nearly hairless grey skin, and is Critically Endangered from historic hunting and tiny range.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
The Javan rhinoceros is the rarest of all rhino species, with roughly 70 individuals surviving in a single national park on Java, Indonesia. Smaller than the Indian rhino at 900–2,300 kg (2,000–5,000 lb), it has a single horn and nearly hairless grey skin, and is Critically Endangered from historic hunting and tiny range.
3.2 m
Typical length
1500 kg
Typical weight
30 km/h
Top speed
40 yrs
Lifespan
Figures sourced from IUCN Red List — Javan Rhino, Wikipedia — Javan Rhino, Wikidata — Javan Rhino .
Javan Rhino: Quick Facts
| Scientific name | Rhinoceros sondaicus |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore — shoots, twigs, fallen fruit, and leaves |
| Habitat | Dense tropical rainforest and tall grass in lowland Java |
| Lifespan | 30–45 years in the wild |
| Weight | 900–2,300 kg (2,000–5,000 lb); males larger |
| Top speed | Up to 30 km/h (19 mph) in short charge |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered (IUCN) |
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Perissodactyla |
| Family | Rhinocerotidae |
| Genus | Rhinoceros |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Status
- Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List)
- Population
- See the IUCN Red List assessment
- Trend
- Stable
- Assessed
- 2020
- CITES
- See CITES appendices
Key documented threats: Poaching for horn; A single, tiny isolated population; Vulnerability to disease and natural disasters; Invasive Arenga palm reducing habitat.
Key Facts: Javan Rhino
- All surviving Javan rhinos live in Ujung Kulon National Park at the western tip of Java — a peninsula isolated by the 1883 Krakatau eruption and tsunami.
- Unlike grass-grazing white rhinos, Javan rhinos browse woody vegetation in dense rainforest, using a pointed upper lip to strip shoots and fallen fruit.
- With fewer than 80 individuals, the Javan rhino is the rarest large mammal on Earth.
Last population on Java
All surviving Javan rhinos live in Ujung Kulon National Park at the western tip of Java — a peninsula isolated by the 1883 Krakatau eruption and tsunami. No Javan rhinos remain in their former range across Southeast Asia, Vietnam, or India.
Forest browser
Unlike grass-grazing white rhinos, Javan rhinos browse woody vegetation in dense rainforest, using a pointed upper lip to strip shoots and fallen fruit. They follow regular trails through undergrowth and wallow in mud to cool and deter insects.
Extreme rarity
With fewer than 80 individuals, the Javan rhino is the rarest large mammal on Earth. The last Javan rhino in Vietnam was poached in 2010. Every birth in Ujung Kulon is monitored by camera traps — the population is too small to survive a disease outbreak or natural disaster.
Recovery challenges
Plans to establish a second population on Java or elsewhere have progressed slowly due to habitat requirements, tsunami risk at Ujung Kulon, and the invasive Arenga palm crowding out rhino food plants. Anti-poaching success means natural threats now dominate.
What WARN Does
WARN does not run a dedicated javan rhino programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The javan rhino faces documented conservation pressure in the wild, which is why clear, sourced public information about it matters. Building public understanding of species like the javan rhino supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.
Javan Rhino: Frequently Asked Questions
How many Javan rhinos are left?
Javan rhino vs Indian rhino?
Why are Javan rhinos Critically Endangered?
Do Javan rhinos have two horns?
What do javan rhinos eat?
Where do javan rhinos live?
Are javan rhinos dangerous?
How long do javan rhinos live?
How big is a javan rhino?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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