Rare Rhinos on the Rise

Recently, rhinos in Nepal have been increasing in numbers.  There are now 534 rhinos in Nepal, which is 99 rhinos higher than the last census in 2008.  The three-week National Rhino Census was a success.  Conservationists took a different route in counting the rhinos by riding on the backs of elephants.  Overall, the surveys were a group effort with help from both the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of the Government of Nepal.  The Indian rhinoceros was once found throughout most of India and Pakistan, but was eventually threatened by habitat loss and the illegal trade of rhino horn.  Today, because of these threats, there are only three thousand Indian rhinos surviving in small, protected parts of India and lowland Nepal.  The threat of poaching for their horns is still very dangerous, even though the trade is illegal.  In my opinion, it’s great that the numbers of these rare rhinos has increased instead of decreased.  With the help of the government, I believe the numbers will continue to rise, and hopefully, poaching and habitat loss will decrease to help keep these animals safe.  The only way they can be helped is if there are tighter laws around them that keep their land open and protected, which has already started to happen.  Rhinos should continue to be protected so their future is not a dark one.