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Indian Rhinoceros
A success story for the long term?
Common Name: Indian rhino, greater one-horned rhinoceros; Rhinocéros unicorne de l'Inde (Fr); Rinoceronte unicornio índico (Sp)
Scientific Name: Rhinoceros unicornis
Habitat: Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Location: Southern Asia, northern margin of the Indian subcontinent adjacent to the southern slope of the Himalayas
Population: Around 2,400 individuals
Background
© WWF-Canon / Michel GUNTHER
The Indian, or greater one-horned, rhino is a conservation success story. Thanks to strict protection measures, its population increased from 600 in 1975 to 2,400 in 2002. But it is still an endangered animal that faces the ever-present danger of poaching for its horn.
Sympathy for the rhino
The protected areas of India and Nepal, where this rhino survives, are surrounded by dense human populations. It is vital to ensure that communities living around rhino reserves are sympathetic to, and benefit from, the rhinos in their midst.
More areas for rhinos need to be sought as rhino populations increase. WWF is working in both India and Nepal to conserve this species of Asian rhino by:
- strengthening anti-poaching efforts and protected area management
- trying to restore dispersal corridors
- creating additional populations through translocations
- working with local communities in Nepal to enable them to benefit economically from the presence of rhinos.
Physical Description
The Indian (or greater one-horned) rhinoceros is the largest of the three Asian rhinos. It has a single black horn about 20-60 cm long and a grey-brown hide with skin folds, which give it an armour-plated appearance. Males show enormous development of the neck folds. The upper lip is semi-prehensile.
Size
The weight of Indian rhinos is about 1,800-2,700 kg.
Colour
These rhinos display a gray brown colour, which is pinkish at the skin folds.
Habitat
Major habitat type
Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Biogeographic realm
Indo-Malayan
Range States
Bhutan, India, Nepal
Geographical Location
Southern Asia, northern margin of the Indian subcontinent adjacent to the southern slope of the Himalayas
Ecological Region
Terai-Duar Savannas and Grasslands, Naga-Manupuri-Chin Hills Moist Forests
Interesting Facts
Indian rhinos use communal dung heaps, where they often scrape their feet, leaving a scent as they move around. Poachers use this information to poach them as they visit these communal dung heaps.
Danger Watch
A species relative risk of extinction, as determined by the IUCN - The World Conservation Union. More
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Extinct
No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died.
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Extinct in the Wild
Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized population.
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Critically Endangered
Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Endangered
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Vulnerable
Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
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Near Threatened
Likely to qualify for a threatened category in the near future.
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Least Concern
Does not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endagnered, Vulnerable or Near Threatened
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