WORLD RHINO DAY (Syllabus: GS Paper 3 – Env & Eco)

Context: According to a recent report, climate change-induced droughts are now posing a threat to the rhino population in Africa, alongside poaching and habitat loss.

Key Points of Report

• According to the report: Habitat loss, poaching and climate change continue to threaten the existence of all five rhino species. 
• Apart from poaching and habitat loss, climate change-induced droughts have been threatening the rhino population in Africa.
• According to the report, the landscape-level threat of invasive species to Greater One-Horned rhinos is significant.
• The national park is connected to Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in the east, and it can create link across all protected areas that house rhinos — Manas National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Orang National Park, the Laokhowa and Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries and Kaziranga National Park.

World Rhino Day

• First announced by: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - South Africa in 2010
• Objectives: Strengthening protection, Expanding the distribution range, Research, and monitoring, Adequate and sustained funding.
• Five Species: White and Black rhinos in Africa, and the greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhino species in Asia.
• IUCN Red List Status

o White Rhino: Near Threatened.

o Black Rhino: Critically endangered.

o Greater One Horned: Vulnerable.

o Javan: Critically Endangered

o Sumatran Rhino: Critically Endangered

One-Horned Rhinoceros

• About: It is the largest of the rhino species. It is identified by a single black horn and a grey-brown hide with skin folds.

o India is home to the largest number of Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in the world.

• Habitat: Indo-Nepal terai and northern West Bengal and Assam.
• Found: found in Kaziranga NP, Pobitora WLS, Orang NP, Manas NP, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP and Dudhwa TR.