MALAYSIA’S last Sumatran rhino, Iman, has fallen seriously ill, Sabah Wildlife Department announced today.

Its director Augustine Tuuga said bleeding was discovered from her uterine leiomyoma tumour three days ago.

“It is believed that one of the larger tumours might have ruptured and is causing pain and bleeding.

“Tabin also received nearly 6m of rain in 2017, so her paddock has become a quagmire, making things even more difficult for her,” Tuuga said in a statement.

Iman was already in serious health problem while in captivity at the Tabin Wildlife in Lahad Datu, Sabah, but usually respond to treatment comprising medication and supplements.

“This time Iman is refusing to leave her mud wallow and hardly eating, so the usual treatment has not been possible.

“She also charges at anyone who comes near her paddock,” he said.

On June 4, the department had to euthanised another female rhinoceros, Puntung, as her squamous cancer were spreading rapidly following a surgery last April.

Sabah’s hope to breed the rhino is becoming more slim, with Iman being critically ill.

The government had mulled the possibility of in vitro fertilisation to perpetuate the species with the only rhino in captivity, Tam.

Iman and Puntung were unable to bear child due to their illness.

When asked whether Sabah’s hope to breed a rhino was dashed, Tuuga said, “Well, how else can we produce without the animal. I think the answer is obvious.” – December 17, 2017.