Indian species that made a dramatic comeback from the cusp of extinction

The One-Horned Rhinoceros

Assam’s pride, the greater one-horned rhinoceros, was once nearly wiped out, with barely 75 individuals left in 1905. The creation of Kaziranga National Park, combined with strict anti-poaching measures and translocation efforts, turned the tide.

Kaziranga now supports over 2,400 rhinos, the highest number of any rhino population in the world. Additional populations thrive in Pobitora, Orang, and Manas, showcasing India’s most celebrated large-mammal recovery.

An Indian rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park (Photo: Wikipedia)

The Amur Falcon

An Amur Falcon (Photo: Wikipedia)

This small raptor’s comeback is one of the most inspiring conservation stories involving local communities. Every year, millions of Amur falcons migrate through Nagaland. Until a decade ago, mass hunting during their stopover threatened their survival.

In 2012, reports of large-scale hunting prompted swift action: community pacts, awareness campaigns, and strict enforcement. Villagers turned protectors, creating safe roosting sites for the birds.
Today, Nagaland is known as the world’s Amur Falcon capital, and no mass-hunting incidents have been reported in recent years.

The Olive Ridley Turtle

An Olive Ridley Turtle (Photo: Wikipedia)

Odisha’s coast, particularly Gahirmatha and Rushikulya, hosts one of the world’s most significant mass nesting (arribada) events of Olive Ridley turtles. However, threats such as trawling, coastal development, and egg predation severely impacted nesting numbers in the 1980s and 1990s.

Conservation measures—including protected marine zones, seasonal fishing bans, turtle excluder devices, and community-run beach patrols—have revived their numbers. Lakhs of turtles now nest annually, and Odisha remains the global stronghold of this species.

The Barasingha (Swamp Deer)

A Swamp Deer at Kanha National Park (Photo: Wikipedia)

Once nearly extinct, the hard-ground barasingha, the state animal of Madhya Pradesh, saw its population plummet to around 60 individuals in Kanha National Park in the 1960s.
Habitat restoration, predator-proof enclosures, controlled burning, and careful population management helped the species recover.

Kanha now supports over 800 barasinghas, and reintroduction efforts in Satpura and other landscapes aim to broaden their distribution.