The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, also known as the Indian Rhinoceros, is one of the two rhinos with a single horn, along with the Javan Rhino. The other three rhino species have two horns.  This rhino’s scientific name is Rhinoceros unicornis, which means one-horned nose.

These rhinos have thick folded skin that have been compared to formidable plates of Medieval armour. Males use sharp tusk-like teeth – not their horn – to fight for mates and territory. Their tough skin, which can be up to 4cm thick along their back, not only provides protection during these battles but also helps regulate body temperature, keeping them cool in the heat.

All rhino species are illegally poached for their horns, which are believed to have medicinal value. The horns are made from keratin, the same material as your fingernails, and have no proven medical value. This false belief, however, has pushed all five rhino species towards extinction.

Taronga is home to Australasia’s only Greater One-horned Rhinos, which are cared for at both our Zoos. Hari is a bull born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 2021 and now lives in a multi-species Rhino Reserve at Taronga Zoo Sydney, whilst his parents reside in Dubbo. His father Dora was born in 1999 at Nagoya Zoo, Japan, whilst his mother Amala was born in 2006 at Oklahoma Zoo, USA. 

As a solitary species, the three rhinos are now housed separately, with Dora and Amala only coming together to breed.