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 RoyalChitwanNational Parkin Nepal and KazirangaNational 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 RoyalChitwanNational Parkin central Nepalis being translocated to RoyalBardialNational Park to establish a new
viable population which will save the species from any natural or other
disasters.
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