| THE GREAT ONE HORNED
RHINOCEROS
Tigers are poached using spears and
traps.
The One Horned Rhinoceros is mainly
poached for its horn and hide.
The horns are used in traditional oriental
medicines, ornamental purposes such as dagger handles
and scabbards and also used as aphrodisiac.
The hide is used in traditional Tibetan
medicines and in making of bangles
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Scientific name: Rhinoceros unicornis
Local name: Gaida
Rhinoceros (Gainda) is the second largest of the terrestrial
animals. Of the 5 different species of rhinoceros found in
the world, only one species, the Great One-horned Rhinoceros
is found in Nepal, India and Bhutan. Rhinoceros actually means
“nose horn”. It is a large, fast moving mammal
with very thick skin resembling armor. It is three to six
and half feet tall and weighs from 1000 to 2300 kg. Rhinos
are odd-toed ungulates (hoofed mammals) related to horses
and are herbivores. They have poor vision and are unable to
detect a motionless person at a distance of less than 30 meters.
It has a lifespan of 40-70 years.
In Nepal, it is found in the floodplains and riverine forests
of Chitwan National Park, Bardiya National Park and Suklaphanta
Wildlife Reserve. Until 1950s, more than 1000 rhinos were
found in the Chitwan Valley. However, due to habitat encroachment,
increased poaching, the rhino population has decreased considerably
over the years. It is an endangered species and placed in
the Nepal’s protected list of mammals (NPWC act 1973).
IUCN Red Data Book has listed the rhino as “Endangered”
and CITES has listed it in “Appendix 1”.
Major Threats to Rhino:
The rapid declination of rhino population over the
past few years is mainly due to habitat degradation and increased
poaching. Degradation of their prime habitat base inside the
park has led them to leave the confinement of the park boundary
leading to increase in the incidents of local harassment and
crop damage which has also given rise to rhino-human conflict.
Another major threat to survival of rhinos is the increasing
demand of the rhino products in the international market.
This has led to increase in the price of such products which
in turn has led to their increased poaching. The strayed rhinos
are more susceptible to poaching. Their horns find use as
aphrodisiac in traditional oriental medicines. They are also
used for ornamental purposes such as to make dagger handles
and scabbards. Their hoofs and hides are believed to have
medicinal values.
Besides, the role of frequent natural calamities, like diseases
and floods, in their survival cannot be overlooked.
Role of WCN in Rhino Conservation:
Since its establishment, Wildlife Conservation Nepal
has been working for the protection and conservation of endangered
animals like one horned rhinoceros by supporting enforcement
agencies like national parks and district forest authorities
through critical information leading to arrests of poachers
and traders. WCN also carries out campaigns, training to concerned
enforcement agencies and conservation advocacy programs.
If you want to support WCN in the conservation of one horn
rhino or if you want more information about Rhinoceros- then
please contact: mail@wcn.org.np |
