The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) used two dogs, brought to Vietnam from the US, to help seek the rare one-horn rhino in forests in southern Vietnam.

After five days, the dogs found seven samples of rhino feces which can be examined for further information about the animals.

The forests are home to one of the two remaining species of one-horn rhino in the world.

One-horn rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) were considered to be extinct in Southeast Asia until a rhino was killed by a hunter in 1988. The number of one-horn rhinos in the world is estimated at less than 10. However, official statistics are unavailable.

Sarah Brook, director of the WWF’s rhino project, said that the one-horn rhino is among the rarest big mammal species in the world. The survey in Vietnam aims to discover the secrets of this animal in order to protect them from extinction.

Feces samples will be sent to the Canada’s Queen University for analysis to define the sex and numbers of rhinos. A zoological organisation in London, UK will analyse hormones to check the reproductive ability of the species. The analysis will be used as part of an urgent plan to preserve one-horn rhinos.

Tran Minh Hien, director of the WWF Vietnam said: “Preserving rhinos in Vietnam is not just about it being the rarest species in Vietnam. It is also the biggest symbol in preservation work in Vietnam at present. If we lose this species of rhino, other rare and endemic species of Vietnam will also face future danger.”

Rhino horns, skin and feces are used for medical purposes so the one-horn rhino is a target for hunters. In addition, agricultural expansion and development of hydropower plants harms their environment.

It is possible to follow the progress online via: www. rhinomania.blogspot.com

VietNamNet/WWF