A team of researchers being led by the University of Copenhagen's Center for Macroecology, Evolution and Climate has found that the Sumatran rhinoceros is now extinct in the wild in Malaysia. Two Sumatran rhinoceros were caught in 2011 and 2014 for captive breeding programs, other than them there has been no sign of the animal in the wild.

For so many years researchers have been searching for the animal, but it could not be found. The report, which has been co-authored by 11 experts, said, "As of June 2015, no further signs of the species have been found in Sabah, and it is safe to consider the species extinct in the wild in Malaysia".

Now, there are just three Sumatran rhinos in captivity in Malaysia and all are in the state of Sabah. Borneo Rhino Alliance head Datuk Dr. Junaidi Payne affirmed that the Sumatran rhino met this fate due to lack of breeding and extreme poaching.

Every rhino that lives today needs 24-hour monitoring. For which, the researchers said that there is a need of united effort by regional nations. Payne said that a programme should be started whose aim should be to boost Sumatran rhino numbers.

There was a time when the Sumatran rhino ranged across much of Southeastern Asia, but now its number has reduced to around to 100 left in the wild in Indonesia and nine others that are safeguard in captivity.