Rhinos
Indian Rhinoceros
Habitat: grasslands and savannas
Location: Southern Asia
Population: around 2,400 individuals
Background
The Indian, or greater one-horned, rhino is a conservation success story. Its population increased from 600 in 1975 to 2,400 in 2002 as a result of strict conservation efforts. However, it is still threatened by poaching for its horn.
WWF works to protect this species in the countries of India and Nepal by:
- strengthening antipoaching efforts and protected area management
- restoring corridors that help rhinos move from one habitat to another
- creating additional populations through translocations
- working with local communities in Nepal to enable them to benefit economically from the presence of rhinos
© WWF-Canon / Michel GUNTHER
Physical description
The Indian, or greater one-horned, rhinoceros is the largest of the three Asian rhinos. It has a single black horn 8-24 inches long and a grey-brown hide with distinct folds in its skin. Most Indian rhinos weigh between 4,000 and 6,000 pounds.
Interesting fact
Indian rhinos use communal dung heaps where they often scrape their feet and then leave a scent as they move around. This is a dangerous action because poachers can follow the scent to find the individuals.
