Holiday Ayo - Centuries ago, the Javan rhino roamed most of southern Asia. Today, a few dozen remain.

Of the five species of rhino—Javan, Sumatran, Indian, African white, and African black—the Javan rhino is the most endangered.

Though they once roamed from Bengal to Indochina, these single-horned animals now number less than 70. Some 50 or 60 are cornered in Ujung Kulon, and fewer than 10 are in the Cat Tien National Park in southern Vietnam. Rangers can spend months searching without ever seeing one. There are none in captivity.

Over centuries this rhino has become the stuff of folklore. When Marco Polo passed through Java in the 13th century, it's said he believed the animal was the black unicorn of European legend.

Nearly 500 years later, rhinos were so numerous that the Dutch colonial government regarded them as a threat to Java's plantations and offered a bounty for each beast shot. But by the early 1900s, human encroachment had taken its toll.

And in 1967, when the first census was conducted, it was estimated that there were only 25 rhinos in Ujung Kulon. The herd grew over the next few years but has remained constant for the past two decades. Biologists consider this a fragile population, susceptible to disease and genetic deterioration.


RHINO TRACKING TOURS
Three-day, two-night tours start at USD 145 a person, for a minimum of two people. The price includes transportation by boat from Labuan to Ujung Kulon National Park, a homestay or tent accommodations, a guide, ranger, porter, all meals, and admission tickets.

Travelers interested in this or the Rhino Ranger Package, a more rigorous six-day program beginning in mid-2001 and costing about USD 1,000 a person.