Rhinoceros unicornis

The Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros is the largest of the Asian rhinoceros species, distinguished by its single black horn and characteristic armor-like skin with deep folds. Adults typically weigh 1,500-2,200 kg and stand up to 1.8 meters tall. These semi-aquatic herbivores are excellent swimmers and spend considerable time wallowing in mud and water.

They serve as ecosystem engineers, creating pathways through dense vegetation and maintaining grassland habitats through their grazing patterns.

Historically distributed across the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the species now exists primarily in northeastern India and southern Nepal, with small populations in Bangladesh and Bhutan. They inhabit alluvial floodplain grasslands and subtropical swamp forests, requiring access to water bodies and diverse vegetation for feeding.

The primary threat remains poaching for horn trade, despite international protection measures. Agricultural expansion into floodplains has significantly reduced available habitat, while dam construction alters critical wetland ecosystems. Urban development and livestock farming create additional pressure on remaining habitats. Climate-related flooding and invasive plant species further compromise habitat quality.

Conservation efforts include anti-poaching patrols, habitat restoration, and translocation programs to establish new populations. Protected areas like Kaziranga and Chitwan National Parks have been crucial for population recovery. Community-based conservation initiatives help reduce human-wildlife conflict.

The species shows encouraging recovery, with populations increasing from fewer than 200 individuals in the early 1900s to over 3,500 today. However, the limited geographic range and ongoing habitat pressures require continued intensive management to ensure long-term viability.