Ratu and Delilah are expected to deliver calves in May 2027.
Indonesia’s efforts to save one of the world’s rarest mammals have received a major boost, with two female Sumatran rhinos simultaneously pregnant at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park.
Ratu and Delilah Confirmed Pregnant
The Indonesian government confirmed on October 4 that Ratu and her daughter Delilah are pregnant at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Way Kambas National Park, Lampung. Both pregnancies are part of a long-term conservation breeding program involving Indonesia’s Ministry of Forestry, the national park authority and Yayasan Badak Indonesia.
Both Calves Expected in May 2027
Ratu, paired with male rhino Andalas, had reached 238 days of pregnancy and is carrying her fourth calf. Delilah, paired with Harapan, was 251 days into her second pregnancy. Sumatran rhino gestation typically lasts about 15 to 16 months, and both females are expected to give birth in May 2027.
Medical Teams Closely Monitor Pregnancies
Officials said veterinarians, keepers and Way Kambas management are closely monitoring the health of both mothers and the development of their pregnancies. The long-term breeding program combines planned breeding, reproductive health management and intensive monitoring. The sanctuary operates as a semi-in-situ facility, housing the rhinos in their natural habitat while minimizing human interaction.
Sanctuary Has Produced Five Calves Since 2012
The Way Kambas breeding program has successfully produced five Sumatran rhino calves since 2012. Jansen Manangsang, chairman of Yayasan Badak Indonesia, said the sanctuary’s medical and management teams would continue intensive monitoring through delivery to improve the chances that Ratu and Delilah give birth safely to healthy calves.
Fewer Than 80 Remain in the Wild
The Sumatran rhino is classified as Critically Endangered, with fewer than 80 believed to remain in the wild. Remaining populations are scattered across areas including Way Kambas, Mount Leuser, Bukit Barisan Selatan and East Kalimantan. International Rhino Foundation executive director Nina Fascione described the pregnancies as an important milestone for efforts to bring the species back from the brink of extinction.
The simultaneous pregnancies of Ratu and Delilah represent an important opportunity for Indonesia’s efforts to increase the Sumatran rhino population through managed breeding. For Indonesians, the development highlights the importance of long-term wildlife conservation at Way Kambas. For Singaporeans and other regional audiences, the pregnancies represent encouraging progress in protecting a species found only in Indonesia and facing an extremely limited wild population.
Sources: Straits Times (2026) , Indonesia Expat (2026)
Keywords: Sumatran Rhino Pregnancy, Way Kambas National Park, Ratu Rhino, Delilah Rhino, Rhino Conservation Indonesia, Endangered Wildlife
