A sanctuary in Indonesia is celebrating the birth of a critically endangered Sumatran rhino calf, a species that has fewer than 50 animals left. 

The rhino, born on Sumatra Island on Saturday, is the second born in the country this year. 

A female named Delilah gave birth to the 25-kilogram male calf at the Lampung province sanctuary,  in the southern tip of Sumatra island.

The yet-to-be-named calf is the first successful delivery from Delilah.

The calf’s father, Harapan, was the last Sumatran rhino in the world to be repatriated to Indonesia.

His arrival from Cincinnati Zoo meant the entire population of Sumatran rhinos is now in Indonesia.

Most of the remaining rhinos live on Sumatra, several in captivity.

The species faces threats from poachers who kill the animals for their horns and forest destruction.

Indonesian Environment and Forestry Minister Siti Nurbaya Bakar said Saturday’s birth emphasises the government’s commitment to rhino conservation. 

A conservation guard found Delilah with the newborn male calf 10 days earlier than the estimated delivery date.

Delilah and her baby are in good condition, with the calf now walking and able to breastfeed, the Environment and Forestry Ministry added.

The Sumatran rhino is legally protected in Indonesia.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species describes the Sumatran rhinos as critically endangered. 

It says the population is declining and only about 30 mature animals remain.

AP