November 27, 2025 | 12:17 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Musofa, the first Javan rhinoceros ever translocated within Indonesia’s Ujung Kulon National Park (TNUK), has died just two days after arriving at a designated conservation area.
The male rhino, moved to the Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area as part of a landmark effort to protect one of the world’s most critically endangered mammals, survived only four days from the start of the operation.
The translocation, unprecedented for a Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), was carried out under “Operation Merah Putih,” a mission aimed at improving protection and management of Indonesia’s remaining Javan rhino population, which is now confined entirely to Ujung Kulon.
The operation was led by the Commander of Military Resort 064/Maulana Yusuf Banten, alongside the Deputy Commander of the Banten Naval Air Base and the head of TNUK.
Marine amphibious vehicle KAPA K-61 TNI used for the translocation of Javan rhinoceros Musofa in the Ujung Kulon National Park area, Banten, on November 4-5, 2025. Photo/Dok. TNUK
Extensive preparations involved the Ministry of Forestry, the Indonesian military, and the Indonesian Rhino Foundation, including Tactical Floor Game simulations.
Musofa entered the pit trap on November 3, 2025, where initial health checks confirmed no injuries or fractures. After stress assessments and pre-transport procedures, the team began relocation the next morning at 04:00 AM, transferring the over one-ton animal into a specialized transport enclosure.
The operation also deployed a KAPA K-61 Marine amphibious vehicle, which carried Musofa’s enclosure to Legon Pakis on November 5, the closest landing point for access to the conservation area.
Upon arrival around 05:00 PM, the enclosure was moved to a truck for the final land journey. Musofa reached the conservation area at 06:20 PM and was placed in a care paddock for the adaptation phase and veterinary observation.
At the time, TNUK Head Ardi Andono announced the successful translocation, calling it evidence that scientific planning and cross-sector collaboration could strengthen the future of the Javan rhinoceros, one of the rarest large mammals on Earth.
However, in a statement on November 27, 2025, Ardi reported that Musofa’s condition began deteriorating on November 7. Despite intensive veterinary care, the rhino died later that afternoon.
“He could not be saved due to a long-standing chronic illness,” Ardi said.
A necropsy conducted by the pathology team of IPB University’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences revealed severe, chronic disease affecting Musofa’s stomach, intestines, and brain, significant parasitic infections, and signs of tissue degeneration.
The team also found evidence of old combat-related wounds, which added complications but were not the primary cause of death.
Ardi said the findings underscore the need to strengthen health management standards for the remaining Javan rhinoceros population. TNUK, IPB University, and conservation partners will conduct further analysis to improve early disease detection, habitat management, and long-term population health monitoring.
“Musofa’s death is a profound loss for all of us,” Ardi said. “But it also reminds us of the immense challenges involved in conserving such a rare and vulnerable species.”
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