Saturday, September 6, 2008 - forestrynepal.org

Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros

Greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is the largest of the three Asian rhinos, with a length of about 10 feet (3.8m), height of 5.5 feet (1.7m), and a weight of about 2.2 metric tons (2,200 kg). It was once found across the entire northern part of the Indian sub-continent.

Today there are fewer than 2,400 greater one-horned rhinos left in the wild, with the major populations in Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal and Kaziranga National Park in India. Nepal Rhino Count in 2000 recorded 542 individuals within an annual population growth rate of 3.8%. 

Greater one-horned rhinos are found in alluvial plain grasslands, where the grass can grow up to 26 feet (8 meters) tall, and in the adjacent swamps and forests. However, as the habitat of rhinos is diminishing due to human impact, rhinos are now often found in cultivated areas, pastures and modified woodlands.  In addition to increasing loss of habitat, another major threat to the rhino is poaching. The horns of rhinos - which are made up of the same substance as fingernails (the protein keratin) - are sought after for traditional Asian medicines.

Rhinoceros unicornis is classified by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as "endangered," the category belonging to animals facing a very high risk of extinction in the near future. 

The rhinos of Royal Chitwan National Park in central Nepal is being translocated to Royal Bardial National Park to establish a new viable population which will save the species from any natural or other disasters.

Rhino Population in Chitwan National Park (Rhino Count,2008)

Sex

Adult

Sub-adult

Calf

Total

Male

85

8

7

100

Female

113

9

8

130

Unknown

79

34

65

178

Total

277

51

80

408

Rhino Population in Bardia National Park (Rhino Count,2008)

Sex

Adult

Sub-adult

Calf

Total

Male

3

1

1

5

Female

6

-

-

6

Unknown

6

-

5

11

Total

15

1

6

22*

* 2 adult rhinos have been poached since the count

Rhino Population in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (Rhino Count,2008)

Sex

Adult

Sub-adult

Calf

Total

Male

1

-

-

-

Female

2

-

-

-

Unknown

-

-

2

-

Total

3

-

2

5



External Links