Asian rhinos: armour-plated landscapers

Conservation work has helped the greater one-horned rhino population to slowly recover – but other Asian rhino species are still critically endangered.

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Asian rhinos: armour-plated landscapers species:

Critically endangered (Fewer than 70 remain) Rhinoceros sondaicus

Affected by: Habitat loss and fragmentation , Illegal wildlife trade , Human wildlife conflict , Climate change

Critically endangered (Around 34-47 remain) Dicerorhinus sumatrensis

Affected by: Habitat loss and fragmentation , Illegal wildlife trade , Human wildlife conflict , Climate change

Vulnerable (Around 4,014 remain) Rhinoceros unicornis

Affected by: Habitat loss and fragmentation , Illegal wildlife trade , Human wildlife conflict , Climate change

Asian rhinos have an even more armoured look than their African counterparts, thanks to all those folds in their skin. They graze on tall grasses, shrubs, leaves and fruits – restructuring the landscape as they go.

They look pretty tough but Asian rhinos need a lot of protection right now. The greater one-horned is slowly recovering thanks to years of successful conservation effort, but they’re all at risk from habitat loss and fragmentation, poaching and human wildlife conflict. In addition, small and isolated rhino populations lead to issues of inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.

Together with governments, local communities and other NGOs we’re working to improve rhino conservation and management by supporting rhino monitoring, restoring rhino habitat, and identifying suitable habitats where rhino populations can expand.

Join us and help keep all rhinos safe.

An Asian rhino walks through grass on a misty morning

Where Asian Rhinos live

The greater one-horned rhino once roamed across most of Asia, but now it’s found mainly in India and Nepal. The last remaining population of Javan rhinos are now only found in one protected area, Ujung Kulon National Park on the island of Java. Sumatran rhinos are found in Sumatra, with a few individuals remaining in Kalimantan, Indonesia.

Why Asian rhinos are so important

Rhinos have been around for millions of years and play a crucial role in their environment. They eat a lot of plants every day to meet their energy needs. So they are true landscape engineers.

For example, the greater one-horned rhino helps to keep the grasslands near rivers closely-cropped, which makes those areas attractive to smaller herbivores too. They also help disperse seeds in their poo, which help plants and trees spread.

By protecting the rhino we’re also helping other wildlife and people who depend on the health of that environment.

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Challenges affecting Asian rhinos

Loss and fragmentation of habitat

Asian rhinos have faced extensive habitat loss due to deforestation, logging and expansion of agriculture. Being forced into small, isolated areas can increase inbreeding and disease among rhino populations.
Illegal wildlife trade

Despite an international ban, poaching of Asian rhinos for the illegal trade in their horns is a serious threat. Right now the main demand for rhino horn is from the growing upper and middle classes in Vietnam.
Threats from climate change

Average temperatures and January rainfalls are continuing to rise in India and Borneo, with increased irregularity of drought and floods. This is causing changes to Asian rhinos habitat and their behaviour. Rhinos rely on wallowing in mud to regulate their body temperature, which becomes increasingly hard in the non-rainy seasons as droughts get harsher. Increased flooding can also push them out of their natural habitat, leading to increased competition between rhinos and other species, including humans.

More about climate change

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How we're helping

© Ross Wilson / iStock

Our fight against climate change and global warming

Our planet is facing one of the biggest and most complex environmental challenges, which could have severe implications.

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© Gareth Bentley / WWF-US

Preventing human-wildlife conflict

Human-wildlife conflict is one of the biggest threats to a lot of wildlife.

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© Staffan Widstrand / WWF

Protecting our natural spaces

Loss or destruction of natural habitats is one of the biggest threats to our wildlife. As our population rises, and communities grow.

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