Jakarta (31/5) - WWF Indonesia and Indo Runners Community are organizing "Run Rhino Run", a 10-kilometer trail run to raise public awareness for Javan rhino conservation in Ujung Kulon National Park. The event will be held on June 24, 2012 with 50 lead runners selected from an online competition on social networks.

In addition to the fifty selected runners, the event, which is supported by the Ujung Kulon National Park Center, is also open to the public and local government. The Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) has a special significance for WWF-Indonesia, as the conservation foundation's involvement began with the research of this rare mammal in 1962.

"The Javan rhino is one of the rarest large mammals in the world with only about 50 individuals remaining in Ujung Kulon National Park," said Anwar Purwoto, Director of WWF Indonesia's Forestry, Freshwater and Species Program. After another population of Javan rhinos in Vietnam was declared extinct in 2011, Ujung Kulon NP became the only last refuge for this species.

"WWF-Indonesia believes that conservation efforts will only succeed if they have the support of the wider community, so that we can save this animal that is the wealth and pride of the Indonesian nation," he continued. WWWF-Indonesia's conservation efforts will only succeed if they have the support of the wider community.

One of the public campaign activities that was deemed appropriate was a cross-country run in the buffer zone of Ujung Kulon National Park by cooperating with the Indo Runners community.

"The buffer zone of Ujung Kulon National Park has the potential to be an attractive location for running sports lovers," said Yasha Chatab from Indo Runners. The uniqueness and natural beauty of Ujung Kulon attracted this community to collaborate with WWF. "IndoRunners hopes to socialize running with creative, diverse and useful activities. The experience of running in this area will create a desire to preserve it, and hopefully participants will spread this message to a wider public," he continued.

In addition to being part of WWF's 50th Anniversary celebration in Indonesia, the Run Rhino Run is one of the agendas of the International Year of the Rhino. "The Ministry of Forestry through the Directorate of Biodiversity Conservation (KKH) appreciates the public campaign through the "Run Rhino Run" cross-country running activity in the Ujung Kulon National Park buffer zone. This activity is also very much in line with the International Rhino Year which will soon be declared by the Indonesian Government," said Dr. Ir. Novianto Bambang W., M.S.i, Director of the Directorate of KKH.

Indonesia is a very important country for rhino conservation in the world because it has two rhino species, namely the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) and the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis). Both are critically endangered according to the world conservation organization IUCN.

""Sinde as an Indonesian herbal medicine and medicine industry company that uses natural ingredients is very concerned about the preservation of Indonesia's nature. We are proud of Indonesia's natural wealth and the fact that Indonesia is the only country that has two types of rhinos. The rhino is our icon for the Larutan Penyegar product that we have been producing since 1981. We certainly care and do not want the rhino in Indonesia to remain only as an "icon" in the product. Therefore PT Sinde Budi Sentosa is committed to working with WWF in the conservation of Rhinos so that this priceless treasure can continue to exist until the next generation. This activity is the beginning of a series of cooperation programs that we will carry out with WWF," as expressed by Budi Yuwono from PT Sinde Budi Sentosa, producer of Larutan Penyegar cap Badak.

The online competition to recruit 50 runners for the "Run Rhino Run" will be held from May 31 to June 14, 2012 through RhinoCare's fan page on the social network Facebook (www.facebook.com/RhinoCare).

After the online competition phase, the "Run Rhino Run" trail run will be held on June 24, 2012. In contrast to many running events held in various cities, "Run Rhino Run" offers a unique and natural track, passing through the countryside and beaches in the buffer zone of Ujung Kulon National Park.

In addition to the run, selected participants will receive an in-depth presentation on Javan rhino conservation and habitat, community life in the buffer zone and the ecotourism potential of the area. .

"As part of our social responsibility, Samsung supports conservation efforts carried out in the Ujung Kulon area, especially for the rescue of Javan rhinos. It is hoped that this "Run Rhino Run" event can increase public awareness of Javan rhino conservation and its habitat," said Andry Sutamto, Product Manager Mobile Business Samsung Indonesia.

For more information, contact:

• Adhi Rachmat S Hariyadi, Project Leader Ujung Kulon, +62818134178, a href=""mailto:ahariyadi@wwf.or.id"">ahariyadi@wwf.or.id
• Annisa Ruzuar, Communication Officer for Forest Fresh Water and Species Program, +6281320044343, asruzuar@wwf.or.id

Note to the Editor:

• The Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) is the rarest of the five rhino species on earth with an estimated population of 50 individuals in Ujung Kulon National Park, Banten Province. Until the early 20th century, this species could still be found in the Indo-China Peninsula and Sumatra in addition to Java. Unlike other rhino species that can be found in zoos or ex-situ conservation sites, Javan rhinos only live in their natural habitat with a fairly low reproduction rate.
• The main runners, in the RHINO RUN event are 50 participants, selected through an online competition held on May 31 - June 24. Terms and conditions of participation can be found at www.facebook.com/RhinoCare or www.wwf.or.id/RhinoCare

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• WWF-Indonesia launched the RhinoCare program with the vision of expanding the scope of work for Javan Rhino conservation through better funding schemes. The RhinoCare program is also intended as a development effort to bring various elements of society, especially corporations and multi-stakeholders, closer to Javan Rhino conservation efforts. The program is designed for various levels of society, ranging from individuals, groups, families, corporations to national and international organizations in order to contribute to the efforts of Javan Rhino conservation.
• Java rhino fact sheet (Rhinoceros sondaicus) can be downloaded at the link http://awsassets.wwf.or.id/downloads/factsheet_javanrhino_bahasa_2.pdf

About WWF
WWF is one of the largest and most respected independent conservation organizations, with more than 5 million supporters and a global network active in more than 100 countries. WWF's mission is to halt the degradation of the Earth's natural environment and build a future where people live in harmony with nature, by saving the world's biodiversity, ensuring the sustainable use of renewable resources, and promoting the reduction of pollution and waste consumption. Visit www.wwf.or.id for more information

About Indo Runners
Indo Runners is a running community that is open to the public and provides opportunities for its members to do running activities together / in groups, both regularly and on special events. More information facebook group: Indo Runners and follow @IndoRunners.