A mother and child Great One-horned Rhinoceros (Indian rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis) walk through a stand of elephant grass in Kaziranga National Park. Photo Credit: Jerry Redfern/Getty Images

Animals India30. May 2022

Rhino Population Gets a Very Welcomed Boost!

Conservation efforts to boost the greater one-horned rhino population are bearing fruits in Assam, India, as the biannual census reveals that the province is now home to over 4,000 individuals – giving hope to other rhino species.

Since the last census, 274 rhinos were added to the population, bringing the total to 4,014 individuals in Assam. Because the species was given space to breed, a baby boom occurred. For a species once close to extinction – at one point, there were only 100 greater one-horned rhinos – this recovery is remarkable.

A whopping 70% of all greater one-horned rhinos live in protected parks, including the Kaziranga National Park, which will soon cover 1,040 square kilometers. The Orang National Park is expected to gain 200 square kilometers. Both India and Nepal – the latter being the only other country home to greater one-horned rhinos – have put in place strict protection and conservation measures to help the species’ population growth, including poaching prevention, breeding season protection, and habitat restoration.

Source:
International Rhino Foundation

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