Fifty years ago, there were less than 100 Indian rhinos in the wild.
But the measures that began to be taken then have yielded results and in the most recent annual count, there were over 4,000 Indian rhinos. In Assam, where 70 percent of all Indian rhinos are found, the number of rhinos increased by 274 individuals in one year.
One reason for the increase is that the rhinos had many cubs when they were given privacy. Many national parks where the rhinos are located were closed to visitors during the pandemic.
The fact that the rhinos have managed to recover so well is also due to the fact that poaching has decreased a lot over the years. In 2013, 41 Indian rhinos were killed by poachers. Last year, only one rhino was shot.
Another reason why the Indian rhino is doing so well is that there is plenty of food. The local communities in the areas where there are rhinos get paid to clear away invasive species. This gives the local grass species, which the rhinos eat, more space to grow.
Linn Winge
