World Rhino Day 2025: The conservation miracle in Assam’s Kaziranga, as the national park boasts 70% of the world’s one-horned rhinos after starting with just 12

Every year, 22nd September is marked as World Rhino Day. It is a day to make people aware of how crucial it is to preserve one of the world’s oldest and most iconic animals, the rhinoceros.

The day also highlights the significance of retaining the rhino population for environmental balance, cultural enrichment, and forest preservation. It is an appeal to join hands in the struggle for rhino protection globally.

The concept of World Rhino Day was initially conceived in 2010, when WWF-South Africa announced it as an action day. A year later, it became recognized globally, courtesy of wildlife conservationists Lisa Jane Campbell and Rhishja, who ensured that it spread around the world.

A memorable visit to Kaziranga. I invite people from all over the world to come here. pic.twitter.com/N1yW4XKRyx

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) March 9, 2024

Black, White, Greater One-Horned (Indian), Javan, and Sumatran are the five last remaining species of rhinos. All of them are facing extinction. Their greatest challenges are poaching of horns, illegal wildlife trade, and habitat loss due to deforestation and human settlements.

By commemorating World Rhino Day, the world shines the light on these dangers and urges more action, be it anti-poaching drives, habitat protection, or strict implementation of laws.

Amidst all these stories in the international rhino saga, there is a different page which is written in India, Kaziranga National Park, where the rhinos have achieved one of the most amazing turnarounds in wildlife history.

Kaziranga National Park: 12 rhinos to over 3,000

The state of affairs in Assam’s Kaziranga at the turn of the 20th century was alarming. In 1908, the greater one-horned rhino population in the park had dwindled to just 12. Sport hunting, poaching, and destruction of habitat had preyed on the species for centuries and pushed it to the brink of extinction.

The danger was so imminent that by 1986, Indian rhinos were declared endangered. Their distinctive single horn, which was largely seen as a status symbol on the black market, and their prehistoric appearance made them perpetually in danger. As per the reports, under colonial times, particularly in the late 1800s and early 1900s, British military officers in Assam slaughtered more than 200 rhinos for sport.

But now, Kaziranga has a different tale to tell. As a result of decades-long focused conservation efforts of Indian and Assam government, the park now has a headcount of about 3000 rhinos, which accounts for nearly 70% of the global population of the greater one-horned rhino. Across Assam, the rhino headcount has now hit more than 4,000 as of 2024, a dramatic turnaround from the couple of hundred a century ago.

The CM of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma also highlighted the success story of Kaziranga National Park. He shared a post on his X account marking the achievement of increased rhino population from 600 to over 4,000 in Assam. He said, “On #Worldrhinoday, we reaffirm our commitment to the conservation of Rhino. Through initiatives such as Op Falcon, habitat expansion, and advanced monitoring, Assam has successfully increased rhino population from 600 to over 4,000 and is committed to do more in this direction.”

On #WorldRhinoDay, we re-affirm our commitment to the conservation of Rhino.

Through initiatives such as Op Falcon, habitat expansion, and advanced monitoring, Assam has successfully increased rhino population from 600 to over 4,000 and is committed to do more in this direction. pic.twitter.com/WJqXmX4Wa7

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) September 22, 2025

This makeover is one of the biggest conservation successes in the world. Rhinos are no longer on the brink of extinction in Kaziranga, they are thriving. Assam is now a global stronghold for the species.

In an emotional and strong statement against global rhino poaching, the Assam government in 2022 performed the ritualistic ‘Daha Sanskar’ or cremation of fallen rhinos with full Hindu rites and customs. Sending an emotive message that rhinos are ‘family’ in Assam, the government authorities then cremated 2479 seized rhino horns kept through decades of legal pursuit of poaching cases. The cremation was performed to send a message that the rhino horns have no “medicinal value”, but they are remains of Assam’s children, who would have lived a longer live had the poachers not cut it short.

On the occasion of World Rhino Day, Assam Govt burned 2,479 horns of greater one-horned rhinoceros in Golaghat today to "send a strong message to poachers that the horn is of no medicinal value" pic.twitter.com/KEYl4LksoD

— ANI (@ANI) September 22, 2021

Why rhinos almost went extinct

Sport hunting was the primary reason behind the decline in the rhino population in Assam. Royals and British officers hunted rhinos relentlessly, making them trophies. By 1908, Kaziranga had just a few left. Rhino horn poaching has been an ongoing scourge, too. 

Even in the early 20th century, poachers found different ways to kill rhinos for their horns, which are sold in illegal black markets under false beliefs that they have medicinal or aesthetic worth. 

Up to 692 rhinos were poached alone during the years 1980-1993 in India. Even in recent years, despite stricter laws, instances of poaching continue to surface. 102 rhinos were poached in India between 2008 and 2019, most of them in Assam.

Habitat loss was also a major issue. As human populations increased, grasslands used by rhinos started to reduce. Rhinos strayed into villages during their search for food, and this resulted in confrontation with villagers. Many were killed in the process.

Population density was also a problem. As rhino numbers began rising in small areas like Kaziranga and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, it became resource-intensive and affected the breeding ratio. This was one of the reasons conservationists later relocated rhinos to other parks so that they would have larger spaces to live in.

How India set an example globally

India is now globally hailed as the most successful conservation story for rhinos, but it did not happen overnight. Laws, enforcement, people’s involvement, and global cooperation are the major efforts to bring about core changes.

India is a world leader when it comes to rhino conservation! I’ve seen it with my own eyes. And it’s no surprise when your PM tweets celebrating World Rhino Day. If only he could influence the SA president to do the same. Read More