Nicolaas Jan van Strien

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nicolaas Jan van Strien (1946 - 2008), or just Nico van Strien, was a Dutch zoologist and conservationist of Belgian ancestry. He became notable for his conservation projects on the Sumatran Rhinoceros and the Javan Rhinoceros.

Nico van Strien was born in Etterbeek, Belgium on April 1, 1946. He obtained a Master of Science degree at the Free University of Amsterdam in 1971. In 1985 he received a Ph.D. degree in Agricultural science from Wageningen University.

Dr. van Strien was the South-East Asian programme officer for the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and the co-chairman of the IUCN / SSC Asian Rhino Specialist Group from 1998 to 2008. He took part in Rhinoceros conservation projects in India, Sumatra and Java for 30 years. His field research on the Sumatran Rhinoceros in Gunung Leuser National Park was important for conservation measurements on this species. He further co-ordinated anti-poaching activities in the key Asian rhinoceros reserves, and was involved in captive breeding programs.

Nico van Strien was also a key member at the IUCN Tapir Specialist Group.

In spring 2007 cancer was diagnosed of which he died in his home in Doorn, Netherlands on February 7, 2008.

[edit] Works (selected)

A guide to the tracks of the Mammals of western Indonesia, 1983
Abbreviated checklist of the Mammals of the Australasian archipelago, 1986
The Sumatran Rhinoceros in the Gunung Leuser National Park Its Distribution, Ecology and Conservation, 1986
Asian Rhinos: Status Survey and Conservation Action Plan, 1997