Borneo Rhino Alliance (BORA) is a local NGO based in Sabah. Active since the year 2000, and formerly known as SOS Rhino and subsequently SOS Rhino Borneo, BORA provides protection and monitoring of a critical population of Sumatran Rhinos in Tabin Wildlife Reserve in eastern Sabah.

The SOS Rhino Borneo team in Tabin forest in September 2008

The Critically Endangered Sumatran rhino is now one of the world’s rarest mammals. It’s populations had dwindled to fewer than 200 animals. Of the sub-species found on Borneo, (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis harrissoni), only about 35 are thought to survive, clinging to pockets of forest in eastern and central Sabah. The two main populations, numbering perhaps 13-15 rhinos each, are in Danum Valley Conservation Area and Tabin Wildlife Reserve, with a few other isolated individuals scattered elsewhere.

Recognising the urgency of this situation, from 2000 SOS Rhino (a US-based NGO) began to actively assist the Sabah Wildlife Department in rhino protection in Tabin. In 2003, SOS Rhino Borneo (SOSRB), a local NGO, was established in the form of a not-for-profit company (registered number 613555-A) to provide protection for Tabin’s rhinos through patrolling, monitoring and community outreach.

After several years of building a foundation for this work, in 2007 a workshop with all relevant stakeholders was organised to chart the future of the Sabah rhino. This resulted in a resolution to develop a Borneo Rhino Sanctuary, and a Rhino Action Plan.

Encouraged by this commitment, SOS Rhino announced in December 2007 that it would cease to provide further funding for SOSRB after June 2008. Working with a group of concerned individuals within the conservation movement in Sabah, a 6 month transition process was initiated to continue and expand on the work they had started and sustained over the years. In May 2008, SOSRB moved forward with a new Sabah-based board comprised of highly skilled, qualified and dedicated Sabah-based conservation leaders. Commencing in January 2009, the name BORNEO RHINO ALLIANCE (BORA) was adopted to better reflect the collaborative nature of rhino conservation work in Sabah.