Perhaps the moment for Iman to leave this world — and effectively condemn her species to extinction — has not yet arrived. Iman is a female Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis), one of the most endangered mammal species in the world, and she is the last female of her species in Malaysia.

Iman's illness

Less than two weeks ago, Iman — who lives in the Tabin Wildlife Reserve, a protected area in Sabah, on the Malaysian island of Borneo — was diagnosed with a uterine tumour. The animal had lost a great deal of blood, was dehydrated and malnourished, and the vets were convinced she would survive only a few days.

Iman's fight, and that of an entire species

But Iman, perhaps sensing the great responsibility of being one of the last fertile females of her species, appears to have defied the medical prognosis. The animal is still alive and is said to be showing slow but encouraging signs of recovery.

A glimmer of optimism

Thanks to the intensive medical care provided by vets from the Sabah Wildlife Department, the situation now appears to be less critical. "A week ago I was certain she would die, but somehow she has pulled through," said John Payne, director of the Borneo Rhino Alliance, the NGO that coordinates conservation initiatives for the Bornean Sumatran rhinoceros. "The worst seems to be over, but we are still concerned because there is still blood flow from her uterus and she is eating much less than normal." To compensate for her poor appetite and the blood loss caused by the haemorrhaging, vets at the centre are administering food and supplements to Iman intravenously.

The future of the Sumatran rhinoceros

As mentioned, the future of all Sumatran rhinoceroses depends on Iman's future. Iman was captured in the wild in 2014 for a breeding programme aimed at saving the species from extinction. The Borneo Rhino Alliance hopes that the animal will recover and may in future provide further fertile eggs for in vitro fertilisation attempts. "If Iman dies soon this opportunity will be lost forever, as we do not have the technology to successfully freeze and thaw rhinoceros eggs," explained John Payne.