World Rhino Day is celebrated every year on September 22nd.
There are five main species of rhinoceros in the world:
Sumatran Rhino
Black Rhino
One Horned Rhino
Java Rhino
White Rhino
Of these, only the Indian rhinoceros is a one-horned rhino. All others are two horned.
The Indian Conservation Story
The Indian Rhino Census was conducted in March 2022.
It had the following results for Kaziranga:
- 1,670 adults (above six years)
- 365 sub-adults (3 to 6 years)
- 279 juveniles (1 to 3 years)
- 146 calves (0 to 1 year)
The last Census was in 2018.
When we think of the Indian rhinoceros, we only think of the Kaziranga sanctuary.
While Kaziranga does have the highest rhino population, the following sanctuaries have also done well on the conservation front:
Pobitra National Park, Assam
Pobitra has 81 rhinos. For a 40 sq km area, that population is very dense.
Jaldapara National Park, West Bengal
From 15 in 1985 to 292 in 2022, Jaldapara has the highest population of rhinos in West Bengal.
Orang National Park, Assam
Orang National Park won the 2nd Annual IUCN WCPA International Ranger Award 2022.
Gorumara National Park, Assam
Manas National Park, Assam
Dudhwa National Park, Uttar Pradesh
India now has over 4000 rhinos.