You can Find Endangered Species of One-Horned Rhinos Only in These 3 National Parks in India

The greater one-horned rhino, commonly known as the Indian rhino is one of the the largest rhino species. Once widespread across the entire northern part of India, their populations dwindled due to hunting for sport or being killed as agricultural pests. This pushed the species very close to extinction. According to WorldWildLife, by the start of the 20th century, around only 200 wild greater one-horned rhinos remained. To preserve them, various steps are taken. Although, there was a significant increase in their number they still remain endangered. So much so that, their majority is found only in three national parks in India. 

Kaziranga National Park

Kaziranga National Park is the main hot spot for one-horned rhinos in India. It has played a vital role in bringing the number of this species from 200 to 3000 as of 2023. Presently, more than 3000 rhinos live in the wild out of which about 2000 are found in Assam’s Kaziranga alone. This animal normally weighs between 2260 to 3000 kilograms is the largest land animal and has a single horn, which measures 20 centimetres to 57 centimetres in length and roams in the expanse of Kaziranga. 

Manas National Park 

After the extinction in 2000, in a little over a decade, Manas National Park, another national park in Assam has seen significant growth in its greater one-horned rhino population. Plans for bringing rhinos back to Manas NP were developed in 2005, and translocations began in 2008 with individuals moved to Manas from other protected areas in Assam as part of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV2020) initiative. A few decades ago, Manas National Park's rhino population of 85 to 100 was wiped out due to increased poaching during a period of local socio-political unrest. Post which, two adult males were successfully relocated to Manas from the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam during the first translocation in 2008. 16 more rhinos were moved from Kaziranga and Pobitora to Manas during the course of the following four years. In addition to the calves born to translocated rhinos after they were moved to their new home, the Assam Forest Department, in partnership with Wildlife Trust of India-IFAW, moved 16 rescued calves that were part of a rhino rehabilitation program to Manas between 2006 and 2020. By 2020 there were 43 greater one-horned rhinos in the Manas National, which may seem a small number but was a great achievement after the dwindling of these species in India. 

Orang National Park

Apart from these national parks Assam's Orang National Park which is also known as Mini Kaziranga National Park has also seen a significant rise in the population of the one-horned rhinos. As per the last update in 2022, the population had increased by 24 rhinos from 2018, making in total of 125 of them in this area. Of the total count, 43 were males, 49 females and 23 calves, while the gender of 10 could not be ascertained.