'This is devastating news for all of those who have been involved in Puntung's life over the past ten years, from those in SOS Rhino who monitored her wild in the Tabin forests since 2007, those who captured her in 2011 and those who cared for her daily and still care for her right up to now,' he said.

'We thank the countless people, both in Malaysia and overseas, who worked endlessly with us in April, including financial support for the dental surgery and follow-up work.

'We would like to record our profound thanks to YSD, which has been our biggest supporter and donor since 2009. YSD has not only provided the financial funding covering the costs of monitoring, capture, translocation and care of Puntung since 2009, but its council members and management team, headed by Tun Musa, have maintained a constant personal interest in her welfare and progress,' Dr Payne said.

He added that BORA's staff, who have had Puntung under intensive care over the past two months, have been shocked by the very visible rapid growth in the size of the carcinoma.

The BORA team has been in constant contact with experts in Europe, South Africa and Thailand and have concluded from the discussion that any form of conventional treatment would just prolong Puntung's agony.

Dr Payne also said BORA is preparing to try and recover eggs or oocytes from Puntung, representing hope that she may yet be able to contribute to the survival of her species.

From 2009 to February 2017, YSD had spent RM13.8 million towards conserving the Sumatran rhinoceros, with funds channelled towards an artificial reproductive technology (ART) programme to help breed the Sumatran rhinoceros and help save the species from extinction.

Currently, the Borneo Rhino Sanctuary at the Tabin Wildlife Reserve is caring for two female Sumatran rhinoceros - Puntung and Iman - as well as a male rhino - Tam.

Since 2009, YSD has committed RM131 million towards the protection of high conservation value ecosystems, vulnerable and endangered species as well as initiatives promoting the preservation of the environment and biodiversity.

Sime Darby Berhad published this content on 30 May 2017 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein.
Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 30 May 2017 02:21:08 UTC.

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