Indian rhinoceros
The Indian rhinoceros is a large rhinoceros native to the Indian subcontinent, distinguished by a single horn and thick, deeply folded skin.
Rhinoceros: A large, thick-skinned herbivorous mammal in the family Rhinocerotidae, typically bearing one or two horns. The Indian rhinoceros is one of five living rhinoceros species.
Kaziranga National Park: A protected area in Assam, India, known for its population of Indian rhinoceroses. The park holds a major share of the species’ wild population.
Indian subcontinent: A large region of South Asia that includes India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. The species’ native range lies in the subcontinent’s northern floodplains.
Megaherbivore: A very large herbivore whose feeding can substantially shape vegetation and landscapes. Its body size and grazing influence the grasslands it inhabits.
IUCN Red List: A global assessment system that classifies species by their risk of extinction. The Indian rhinoceros is assessed as Vulnerable on this list.
Rhinocerotidae: The mammal family that includes all living and extinct rhinoceroses. Its family placement links the species to other rhinoceroses.
Chitwan National Park: A protected area in Nepal that supports a substantial population of Indian rhinoceroses. Its rhinoceros population grew through sustained protection and anti-poaching efforts.
Indo-Gangetic Plain: A fertile alluvial plain formed by the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river systems. Its grasslands and wetlands once supported a much broader rhinoceros range.
Grazing: The feeding of herbivores on grasses and other low-growing plants. Grasses form a major part of the Indian rhinoceros’s diet.
Conservation translocation: The deliberate movement of organisms to establish, restore, or reinforce populations. Translocations have helped establish or strengthen populations beyond core strongholds.