Population of Endangered Rhinos in Nepal Has Grown by 16% Thanks to Anti-Poaching Measures

This year the third country has announced some good news for rhinos. Populations of the endangered rhinoceros with one horn in Nepal have increased by 16% over the past six years.

Population of Rhinos

The new National Rhino Count 2021 evaluates the recent number stands at 752 individuals up from 645 in 2015. The number of Rhinos was calculated across the country between March 22 and April 10, involving within four national parks, both Chitwan.

In the 1960s there were only about 100 remaining in the country. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation made use of 57 elephants while searching for rhinos, together with 350 personnel that were trained who ransacked the jungle areas to record a species headcount.

Protection of Rhino in Kenya

While the process was ongoing, they also took data on the conditions of habitat, exotic species in the area, and human activities in the region. Ghana Gurung, Country Representative of WWF Nepal said: "The total growth in the size of the population is suggestive of ongoing protection and habitat management efforts by safeguarded area authorities, in spite of the challenging contexts these previous years."

"This accomplishment is yet another milestone in the conservation journey of Nepal."

Meanwhile, in Africa, 2020 was an extraordinary year for the protection of rhino in Kenya. There was no loss of horn or life among the rhinos - this has not been achieved since 1999. And in South Africa, which harbors 80% of all African rhinos, 2020 was the sixth successive year that rhino poaching event dropped in the massive Kruger National Park. Deaths have decreased by 60% since 2017.

Also Read: Genome Study: Woolly Rhino Extinction Linked to Climate Change, Not Human Hunting

Extinction Story of Rhinos

Rhinos once hovered around many places throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe and were known to the first Europeans who represent them in cave paintings. At the beginning of the 20th century, 500,000 rhinos walked around Africa and Asia.

By 1970, the rhino's population decreased to 70,000, and presently, about 27,000 rhinos remain in the wild. Just a few rhinos can thrive outside national parks and reserves because of continuous poaching and loss of habitat over many decades.

Three rhino species - Javan, Sumatran, and black-are critically endangered. Presently, a small number of Javan rhinos is discovered in just one national park on the northern tip of the Indonesian island of Java. In 2011, a mainland subdivision of the Javan rhino was proclaimed extinct in Vietnam.

Threats From Humans

Victorious conservation efforts have brought about an increase in the number of greater one-horned or Indian rhinos, from about 200 at the turn of the 20th century to about 3,700 presently. The greater one-horned rhino is among the biggest success stories of Asia, with their rank improving from endangered to susceptible following a significant increase in population.

However, the species are still under threat from illegal hunting for its horn and from loss of habitat and degradation.

For more news, updates about rhinos and similar topics don't forget to follow Nature World News!