 Reference Base  The greater one-horned rhino of Assam is threatened by po... |
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Status |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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While two of the rhino species disappeared in this region, Rhinoceros unicornis survived in a few small pockets and with protection from the early 20th century, their numbers gradually rose in Assam to the present number of about 1,450 (see Table 1) in 1993 despite the rhino's slow breeding rate. Assam's protection of its greater one-horned (or Indian) rhinos has been one of the great rhino success stories. An estimated 75% of the total number of this species now exists in this one small state of India. Recent funding cut-backs and political disturbances, however, led to increased poaching in 1992 and 1993, causing concern for the future of the rhino in this poor and backward state (see Tables 2, 3 and 4). S. Deb Roy, formerly Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Assam and formerly Inspector General of Forests (Wildlife) Government of India, believes that the challenge of saving the rhinos is probably much more intense at present than at any earlier time (Deb Roy, 1993).
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