Rhinos

In China, domestic trade in both tiger and rhinoceros products has been banned since 1993 and the maximum penalty for illicit trade is death. This report documents the progress made in implementing the ban but also the continuing availability of rhinoceros horn, tiger bone and their medicinal derivatives in the country.

There are currently three species of Asian rhino: the Indian or greater one-horned Asian rhino, the Javan or lesser one-horned Asian rhino and the Sumatran or Asian two-horned rhino. Today, all three are threatened with extinction and two, the Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino, critically so. Although the Indian rhino is to be found in greater numbers than the other two, the threats to this species nevertheless remain significant.

The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, Rhinoceros unicornis, is found only in nine protected areas in Nepal and India. Fewer that 2,000 continue to exist in the wild. This report presents information on the status of this rhinoceros in India, documenting populations, poaching, and the trade in and use of rhinoceros horn.