Leaving Legacies

We’re celebrating the life and legacy of Marcellus Adi Riyanto, a researcher who dedicated his life to conserving the Sumatran Rhino.

Dr Marcellus Adi Riyanto passed away on April 27th whilst researching the life of the Sumatran rhino in Kalimantan. The specie’s presence on a nearby island fascinated him. Subsequently, he felt compelled to gain a deeper understanding of how these rhinos survive in the wild. The exact details of his death remain unclear. However, the news of his unexpected death was a upsetting to Indonesia’s conservation community, especially as he was admired for pioneering the awareness for the Sumatran Rhino.

The Young Conservationist

Dr Riyanto’s love for rhinos began in university. Studying Veterinary Medicine at Bogor Univeristy, he began to conduct research on wild rhinos. Their general cuteness, alongside his growing awareness of their importance Indonesia’s wildlife, made Dr Riyanto want to a pursue a career in their conservation.

After Graduating from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in 1983, Dr Riyanto began to work for the Rhino Foundation and continuously worked on initiatives to raise the endangered profile of the Sumatran Rhino. 1994 saw one of his noble feats as he managed to bring Air Supply, a popular American band at the time, to be a feature act for The Water Supply Concert. This concert also sought to drive awareness to the Rhino’s on an international level, and it was successful.

As a result, The profile of the Sumatran rhino began to increase as a result of this, which prompted the construction of The Sumatran Rhino Sanctury in 1998. Here, Dr Riyanto worked as a Vet and the general manager, with a focus on taking care of the already present rhinos.

A Successful Return

In 2007, the International Rhino Foundation brought Andalas back from the Cincinnati Zoo with the help of Dr Riyanto.

Andalas was the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity on September 13th 2001, at the Cincinnati Zoo. He is the living, breathing result of a ground-breaking research and breeding effort undertaken by American zoos, the Indonesian government, and the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary which was spearheaded by Dr Riyanto.

Increasing Awareness

Dr Riyanto left SRS in 2009 and established and integrated sustainable forest alliance foundation that focused on Way Kambas’ Restoration. It was around this time he also began to conduct his extensive research into the behaviour of Sumatran Rhino.

Shortly after, the Indonesian Ministry of Environmental Affairs and WWF Indonesia asked Dr Riyanto to visit Kalimantan. It was believed that Sumatran Rhino’s were seen.

By the end of 2016, Dr Riyanto set up surveillance cameras in the Kalimantan forest to capture a Sumatran rhino. He was soon successful. This finding provided evidence of their existence. Likewise, it also provided new geographical evidence to support the belief that Kalimantan and Sumatra were once a unified landmass.

The presence of a Sumatran rhino and with previous experience building rhino sanctuaries in Way Kambas, Dr Riyanto designed a Kalimantan rhino sanctuary deep within the Kalimantan forest (Kelian Lestari SRS), with an area of ​​500 hectres.

Since its opening, this sanctuary has saw several young rhino’s enter its enclosure. The latest was Pahu in 2019. She is currently in the breeding and reproduction programme that is essential to the species overall survival.

Our gratitude

At The Happy Prawn Co., we’d like to pay our respects to Dr Riyanto and his family. He’s challenged perceptions of the Sumatran Rhino and pioneered their international awareness by tirelessly working alongside global environmental organisations. His legacy rests within the conservation and preservation of the Sumatran Rhino.

Alongside the many conservation groups we’ll continue his mission to protect the Sumatran Rhino.

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About The Happy Prawn Co.

The Happy Prawn Co. is an independent, ethical brand producing 100% natural, 100% traceable Black Tiger prawns from Indonesia. Aimed at seafood lovers and foodies alike, the brand officially launched in 2018, but it’s the result of more than a decade’s dedication.

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