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
Status		IUCN: Endangered (EN B1+2cde)
Population		Around 2,400 individuals

Background

This information has been reviewed by A. Christy Williams, Coordinator, WWF Asian Rhinoceros and Elephant Action Strategy (AREAS).

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.

» Find out about the WWF Asian Rhino and Elephant Action Strategy

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.