The critically endangered Javan Rhino has been wiped out in Vietnam ,WWF Vietnam and the International Rhino Foundation confirmed in areport released on Oct. 25.
"It is painful that despitesignificant investment in Vietnamese rhino conservation, efforts failedto save this unique animal," WWF's Vietnam director Tran Thi MinhHien said in a press release. " Vietnam has lost part of its naturalheritage."
The report was based on genetic analysis of 22dung samples collected by a Cat Tien National Park-WWF survey teambetween 2009-10, which later confirmed that the samples belonged to arhinoceros that was found dead in the park in April 2010, shortly afterthe survey was completed.
Authors of the report, titledExtinction of the Javan Rhino from Vietnam pointed out that poachingwas the likely cause of the last rhino's death. It had been shot in theleg and its horn sliced off.
A 2004 survey conducted byQueen's University in Canada stated that there were at least tworhinos living in the park at the time.
It was earlierbelieved that the Javan rhinoceros had been wiped out in Vietnam by1988. However, up to 15 rhinos were later found to be living in Cat Tienin 1989.
In the mid-1990s various internationalorganisations were involved in conservation efforts to protect theremaining Javan rhino population in Cat Tien National Park .However, these efforts failed to stem poaching, the report said.
Tran Van Thanh, director of the park, said the total forested area ofthe park has declined from 75,000ha in 1988 to 35,000ha now. Accordingto Thanh, the park, in which about 20,000 people live, still loses onaverage 50ha of forest annually.
Thanh said there were atleast 250 cases of illegal logging in the park in the first nine monthsof this year. However, just three were successfully prosecuted. Underthe law, tree loggers are only prosecuted if they destroy more than5,000sq.m of forest.
Nick Cox, manager of WWF's speciesprogramme in the Greater Mekong, said the loss of the Javan rhinocerosin Vietnam is very sad.
"This continued situation willno doubt lead to the extinction of many more species from Vietnam ,"Cox said. " Vietnam 's protected areas need more rangers, bettertraining, monitoring and accountability."
The WWF has urged Vietnam to do more to protect its endangered species.
There are just 50 Javan rhinoceroses now left in the world, all in Indonesia . /.