2025 - A new focus for Big5Protection

Of the 5 species of rhinos globally, I’m confident the Javan rhino is the one you’ve never heard of. Since our work in Sabah, I’d been trying to get involved with the endangered Sumatran rhino. The last 60 or so remaining are spread between several forest reserves throughout the island of Sumatra. 

Out of the blue in 2024 I was contacted by an Indonesian NGO to ask if we could provide training for rangers protecting the critically endangered Javan rhino. I had to look it up and found to my horror that a spate of recent poaching had reduced numbers by about a third. These last remaining few, maybe as few as 30, are located on a tiny peninsula of lowland rainforest at the very western tip of the island of Java. And thus started our new focus… 

In February, a team of three of us went for a scoping visit and c ame b a c k wi t h e n o u g h information to write a report and devise an action plan. We raised $10 000 as a start point for the much needed funding. What we deduced is that if we are to truly have an effect we need a minimum10 year plan and millions in funding. 

For the remainder of the year we have linked with well connected people we know and have now become part of a new and evolving organisation including some highly influential people who are committed to the cause. 

In September, we made a second visit. A new team, properly funded and with a clearer mission. We met with key stakeholders including high level Govt officials and all of the main NGOs and charities already involved. We now have a better understanding as to how we can fit into what is a complex rescue situation.

We must work with the Indonesian Government, charity organisations and park officials to have the greatest effect. Without this positive action, these critically endangered animals, that even some conservationists in Indonesia had never heard of, will become extinct within the next few years. 

We aim to reveal our new rescue charity organisation soon and expect to be back in Java early in the New Year to get started. For Big5Protection, this means getting the ball rolling to enhance, equip and train the law enforcement rangers and to work with the communities to embrace the rhinos as their future and responsibility and to see them as much more than just a valuable lump of horn for the few to exploit.

This is a massive undertaking but we don’t know of a more urgent and worthy cause on our planet today…