The greater one-horned rhinoceros is in danger of disappearing. In general, the animals live only in protected areas of Nepal and India. India has most of them.

The population study showed that five hundred thirty-four one-horned rhinos now live in Nepal. That is an increase of ninety-nine rhinos since two thousand eight. Five hundred three of the animals were observed in Chitwan National Park. Thirty-one others live in another national park and a wildlife area.

The census marks the first time that more than five hundred rhinos were seen in Nepal since the nation’s civil war. Animal-traders killed many rhinos during that conflict, fought from nineteen ninety six to two thousand six.

FAITH LAPIDUS: Rhinoceros horns are valued in Asian medicines. They also are popular in some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures. The horns have a beautiful, shining quality after carved and made smooth. They are sometimes seen on daggers, short, pointed knives, and in objects like ceremonial cups.

Illegal rhino hunting was a big reason that only one hundred of the animals lived in the Chitwan Valley in nineteen sixty-six. Over the years, the Nepali rhino population has increased and decreased. But life became more secure for the animals in nineteen seventy-three. At that time, Nepal established the Chitwan National Park, first called Royal Chitwan National Park. It was the first wildlife area of its kind in the nation. Nepal opened it to save the one-horned rhinoceros.