“Harapan” the Sumatran rhinoceros(Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) is pictured here in a series of stunning portraits by photographer Joel Sartore. Harapan was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2007 and is currently the only Sumatran rhinoceros on public display in the world [x].
Harapan will soon be relocated to Indonesia to join a breeding program in the hopes that he will help save his species from extinction. It is estimated that there are only about 100 Sumatran rhinos remaining; their population has declined by about 90% since the mid 1980′s due to habitat destruction and poaching.
If you live close by, go see Harapan before he leaves! His departure is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2015.
A Japanese sea lion (Zalophus japonicus) is captured by fishermen at Liancourt Rocks in the Sea of Japan, 1934.
The Japanese sea lion was hunted commercially in the early 1900s, leading to a rapid decline in population from which the species could not recover. The last confirmed individual was a juvenile captured in 1974 off the coast of Hokkaido.
This commission was conceived by Adryx-Dyrennin, but also features his pine marten friend, Altairey! He only requested a walk in the park between the two of them, but I added a spring time aesthetic for obvious reasons. I like to use “seasonal ingredients” in my art when I can. :3
