The Status of Nepal's Mammals: The National Red List Series - IUCN

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porcinus) has been assessed as Endangered. This
species has a small distribution and is suspected to
have an area of occupancy of approximately 300
km 2 restricted to three protected areas in the Terai
region. Although the species may occur outside of
these areas, it faces significant threat from
subsistence hunting. Despite the protection of areas
of suitable habitat for this species, the succession
of grasslands to woodlands and the introduction
of invasive species, in particular Mikania micrantha,
Lantana camara, Chromolaena odorata, continue
to degrade the preferred grassland habitat of this
species. The species occurs in the neighbouring
Terai grasslands of India, which makes cross-border
movement of this species possible. However, this
will require maintenance of habitat corridors and
stricter measures to curb poaching.
Legal Status
National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 2029
(1973). This species only occurs in protected areas.
National Population Size
Total: < 2,500 (estimated)
Adults: < 1,500 (estimated)
Trend: Decreasing
However current estimates suggest there may be a
total population of less than 2,500 individuals and
this population is observed to be in decline.
National Distribution
This species is found within the protected areas of
Bardia National Park, Chitwan National Park, Koshi
Tappu Wildlife Reserve, Parsa Wildlife Reserve and
Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve. The species is locally
common and restricted within these protected
areas.
Distribution outside Nepal
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, India (northern and
northeastern areas including areas of Terai
grasslands bordering Nepal), Pakistan.
Main Threats
• Habitat loss (especially the succession of
suitable grassland habitat to woodland).
• Habitat degradation (invasive plant species).
• Hunting for subsistence.
• Impact of dams (flooding of prime grassland
habitats).
Conservation Measures in Place
None. However this species is likely to benefit from
conservation measures in place for its sympatric
species - the Greater One-horned Rhino.
Conservation Recommendations
i) Improve habitat management through controlled
burning of grasslands and control of the principal
invasive plants (Mikania micrantha, Lantana camara,
Chromolaena odorata).
ii) Assess the impact of the proposed high dam on
the Karnali River and other
proposed hydropower projects on prime Hog Deer
floodplain grassland habitats.
iii) Enhance law enforcement outside protected
areas through local community participation and
engagement.
References
Seidensticker 1976, Dhungel and O’Gara 1991, Bhowmik and Chakraborty 1999, Bhowmik et al. 1999, Biswas
and Mathur 2000, Karanth and Nichols 1998, Biswas 2004, Odden et al. 2005, Timmins et al. 2008a, Sheng and
Ohtaishi 1993 in Timmins et al. 2008b, Nepal Red List of Mammals Field Technicians Workshop 2010, Nepal
Red List of Mammals National Workshop 2010.