Greater one-horned rhino

Scientific name: Rhinoceros unicornis

 
An Indian rhino by the water in Kaziranga National Park. Photo: © Lara Jackson

The greater one-horned rhino, also known as the Indian rhino, is the largest rhinoceros on Earth and is found across a relatively limited range in India. Despite being widespread in the country in the past, populations declined steeply due to a combination of hunting and habitat loss, both due to human action and invasive species reducing habitat quality.

Despite once reaching lows of just 200 individuals, conservation efforts like population management and tracking have helped this species make a huge comeback. The greater one-horned rhino is now classified as vulnerable by the IUCN.

However, the greater one-horned rhino’s situation is still unstable, and more work is needed to protect them moving forward.