Preliminary report on drug immobilisation and transport of the great Indian rhinoceros
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.