The Rhino Family & Conservation
Context:
The global rhino population faces critical threats from poaching and habitat loss.
Recent studies highlight dehorning as a successful anti-poaching strategy in African reserves, while India and Nepal rely on strict protection and community engagement
The 5 Rhino Species:
Species
Primary Location
Key Characteristics
White Rhino
(Near Threatened)
South Africa
(99% of population)
Largest species
(up to 2,700 kg).
Wide square lip for grazing.
Two horns.
Black Rhino
(Critically Endangered)
Namibia, South Africa, Kenya
Hooked upper lip for browsing.
Smaller than White Rhino.
Two horns.
Greater One-Horned
(Vulnerable)
India & Nepal (Assam, West Bengal)
Single horn.
Ash-grey, hairless skin with armor-like folds.
Good swimmers.
Javan Rhino
(Critically Endangered)
Ujung Kulon N.P. (Indonesia)
Rarest species.
Dusky grey color, armor-plated skin appearance.
Single horn (females often hornless).
Sumatran Rhino
(Critically Endangered)
Sumatra & Borneo (Indonesia)
Smallest species.
Covered in long hair (reddish-brown).
Two horns.
Threats to Rhinos:
The primary threat is poaching for Horns.
They are used in traditional medicine (believed to treat fever, gout, etc.) and as status symbols.
The next main threat is Habitat Loss and Encroachment
This is particularly true for the Greater One-Horned rhino
Here the fertile rhino habitats are converted into farmland.
This is also leading to human-wildlife conflict.
Greater one-horned rhinos:
The greater one-horned rhino (or “Indian rhino”) is the largest of the rhino species.
The Indian rhino has a single horn, which is present in both the sexes.
Preferred Habitat: Grasslands and wetlands located in the foothills of the Himalayas and the Brahmaputra and Ganges valley.
At present, the species are restricted to small patches in the Indo-Nepal Terai, northern parts of West Bengal, and Assam.
Within India, rhinos are mainly found in the seven Protected Areas viz.
Assam: Kaziranga NP, Pobitara WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP
West Bengal: Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP
Uttar Pradesh: Dudhwa NP
Protection Status:
IUCN Red list: Vulnerable
Appendix I under CITES
Schedule I under Wildlife Protection Act 1972
Conservation Efforts by Indian Government:
The five rhino range nations (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia) have signed a declaration ‘The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019’ for the conservation and protection of the species.
DNA profiles of all rhinos by MoEFCC.
National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019)
Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (launched in 2005)