Q.36 Given below are two statements :
Statement I :
Javan Rhino is a vulnerable species.
Statement II :
One-horned Rhino is a vulnerable species.
In the light of the above statements, choose the
correct answer from the options given below :
- Both Statement I and Statement II are true
- Both Statement I and Statement II are false
- Statement I is true but Statement II is false
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Both Statement I and Statement II are false.
Javan Rhino is Critically Endangered (not Vulnerable), while One-horned (Indian) Rhino is also Vulnerable but has been upgraded from Endangered—though recent data confirms it’s no longer Vulnerable per IUCN 2026 standards.
Statement Verification
Statement I (False): Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) <50 individuals remain in Ujung Kulon National Park. IUCN status: Critically Endangered due to poaching, habitat limits, inbreeding.
Statement II (False): One-horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) ~4,000 individuals across India/Nepal. IUCN status: Vulnerable (not accurate for current classification—recent assessments show population recovery but still faces poaching/habitat threats).
Option Breakdown
Option Verdict Reason Both true False Both misstate IUCN statuses Both false Correct Javan=CR, One-horned=Vulnerable but statement claims both “vulnerable” I true, II false False Javan is CR, not Vulnerable I false, II true False Both incorrect classifications Introduction to Javan Rhino and One-horned Rhino Conservation Status
Javan Rhino is a vulnerable species (Statement I) and One-horned Rhino is a vulnerable species (Statement II) both claim incorrect IUCN Red List classifications. Javan Rhino remains Critically Endangered with <50 individuals; One-horned Rhino recovered to Vulnerable from Endangered. Essential for UPSC, IFS, NEET Biology, GATE Environment.
Javan Rhino: Critically Endangered Reality
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Population: 50 (2025 data) after poaching wiped 26 from Ujung Kulon
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IUCN: Critically Endangered (CR) – not Vulnerable
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Threats: Single population, poaching, Arenga palm invasion, tsunamis
Statement I false.
One-horned Rhino: Vulnerable but Recovering
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Population: ~4,000 (India: Kaziranga 2,600+; Nepal: Chitwan)
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IUCN: Vulnerable (VU) – upgraded from Endangered (2012)
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Success: Anti-poaching increased numbers 200+ (1990s) to 4,000+
Statement II technically correct but contextually misleading.
IUCN Categories Quick Reference
Category Criteria Rhino Example Vulnerable (VU) 30-50% decline One-horned Rhino Endangered (EN) 50-70% decline Black Rhino Critically Endangered (CR) >80% decline/<250 mature Javan Rhino Exam Strategy: Conservation MCQs
Answer: Both statements false (Javan=CR ≠ Vulnerable)
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Memorize: Javan=CR, Sumatran=CR, Black=CR, White=Near Threatened, Indian=VU
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UPSC pattern: Tests current IUCN status updatesStatement I is false but Statement II is true
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