Rhinoceros — India, Asia & Southeast Asia

"There are three Asian rhino species, all of which have been pushed to the brink of extinction. The greater one-horned is slowly recovering thanks to years of successful conservation efforts but the Sumatran and Javan rhinos remain at great risk. Having once roamed across most of Asia, they’re now found in the wild in just four countries - India, Nepal, Bhutan and Indonesia. Poaching for their horns and habitat loss are the two greatest threats to the survival of Asia's remaining rhinos. Rhinos have been around for millions of years and have a major impact on the structure of their habitat and the health of their ecosystem. For example, the greater one-horned rhino helps to maintain close-cropped grasslands near rivers, which are preferable feeding spots for small herbivores. Asian rhinos also disperse the seeds of plants and fruit they’ve eaten, through their feces. Many other animals – and people – depend on healthy rhino habitats, so protecting the rhino and its habitat helps other wildlife and people. The greatest threat to Asian rhino populations is poaching. For centuries, powdered horn has been used in traditional Asian medicine in the belief that it can treat ailments ranging from hangovers and fevers to cancer. Horns are also purchased and consumed purely as a symbol of wealth and social status. The current demand for rhino horn is primarily in Vietnam. As a result, poachers continue to kill the animals to take the horn, despite increased surveillance and protection. Asian rhinos are also threatened by habitat loss and the degradation of their forest, grassland and marshland habitat – mainly due to human settlements, logging and agriculture. They now survive mainly in small, isolated areas – in small populations that can be prone to inbreeding. The growing human population is putting more pressure on rhino habitat. As their living space contracts, rhinos increasingly come into contact - and conflict - with people. Rhinos have destroyed crops and caused some human casualties, and humans have retaliated. Habitat loss not only reduces the available living space for rhinos, but also isolates and fragments rhino herds, making reproduction and genetic mixing more difficult."

"Asian Rhinos," World Wildlife Fund.