This news is a little stale but it’s new to me.
In 2024, courts determined that a gang poachers had killed 26 Javan rhinoceroses (Rhinoceros sondaicus) from 2019 to 2023, in Ujung Kulon National Park.
This represents about one third of the population of this species. In recent history the species’ range extended throughout south-east Asia, but now is restricted to Ujung Kulon in western Java.
Prior to this scheme there was no evidence of poaching in the park for 20 years. It is believed that the gang had inside help from someone in park security, including access to trailcam footage and timing of security patrols.
The perpetrators and orchestrators received sentences from 1 year up to 12 years. The horns were distributed to buyers in China.
Following the scandal, security arrangements have been changed, to include the provincial police and military. There are reportedly around 70 of the beasts remaining, with numbers now apparently stable.