
The Return of the Unicorns
The Natural History and Conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
Eric Dinerstein(Author)
Columbia University Press
Will be published approx. on 2. July 2003
Book
Hardback
384 pages
978-0-231-08450-5 (ISBN)
Description
Beginning in 1984, Eric Dinerstein led a team directly responsible for the recovery of the greater one-horned rhinoceros in the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal, where the population had once declined to as few as 100 rhinos. The Return of the Unicorns is an account of what it takes to save endangered large mammals. In its pages, Dinerstein outlines the multifaceted recovery program-structured around targeted fieldwork and scientific research, effective protective measures, habitat planning and management, public-awareness campaigns, economic incentives to promote local guardianship, and bold, uncompromising leadership-that brought these extraordinary animals back from the brink of extinction. In an age when scientists must also become politicians, educators, fund-raisers, and activists to safeguard the subjects that they study, Dinerstein's inspiring story offers a successful model for large-mammal conservation that can be applied throughout Asia and across the globe.
Reviews / Votes
Dinerstein provides a glimmer of hope... with his success story of the conservation of the Indian or greater one-horned rhinoceros... [He] discusses the implications of this success story for conservation efforts elsewhere, and clearly rejects attempts to capture rare animals and maintain their populations by captive breeding. -- Donald R. Prothero Quarterly Review of Biology This book offers much to anyone interested in practical, how-to conservation, far-away landscapes, large and exotic-sounding mammals, biodiversity, planning, and tropical ecology... A beautifully candid account... this is the book that conservation pragmatists and cynics should read to discover why optimism about the conservation of large mammals in human-dominated landscapes is not misplaced. -- Joel Berger Conservation Biology an excellent overview of many aspects of the biology and conservation of greater one-horned rhinos in Nepal. -- Samuel Zschokke Basic and Applied Ecology A landmark contribution on the ecology and conservation of large mammals. -- Mark S. Boyce Ecology A serious book full of essential information, and one that has but few rivals... Dinerstein's book is a welcome contribution. PachydermMore details
Series
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
93 illustrations
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-231-08450-5 (9780231084505)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Eric Dinerstein
The Return of the Unicorns
The Natural History and Conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
Book
08/2016
Columbia University Press
€43.40
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Eric Dinerstein
The Return of the Unicorns
The Natural History and Conservation of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros
E-Book
07/2003
1st Edition
De Gruyter
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Persons
Eric Dinerstein is director of WildTech and the Biodiversity and Wildlife Solutions Program at RESOLVE. He also leads a team of biologists who help add biodiversity information to Global Forest Watch. George B. Schaller is vice president of Panthera and has taught as an adjunct associate professor at Rockefeller University, East China Normal University in Shanghai, and Peking University.
Content
Foreword, by George B. Schaller Preface Introduction Part I: Vanishing Mammals, Vanishing Landscapes 1. Vanishing Mammals: The Rise and Fall of the Rhinoceroses 2. Culture, Conservation, and the Demand for Rhinoceros Horn 3. Vanishing Landscapes: The Flood Plain Ecosystem of Chitwan Part II: Biology of an Endangered Megaherbivore 4. Size and Sexual Dimorphism in Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros 5. The Biology of an Extinction-Prone Species: Facing Demographic, Genetic, and Environmental Threats 6. Life on the Flood Plain: Spacing and Ranging Behavior, Feeding Ecology, and Activity Patterns 7. Male Dominance, Reproductive Success, and the "Incisor Size Hypothesis" 8. Endangered Phenomena: Rhinoceros as Landscape Architects Part III: The Recovery of Endangered Large Mammal Populations and their Habitats in Asia 9. Does Privately Owned Ecotourism Support Conservation of Charismatic Megafauna? 10. Making Room for Megafauna: Promoting Local Guardianship of Endangered Species and Landscape-scale Conservation 11. The Recovery of Rhinoceros and Other Asian Megafauna Conclusion Appendix A: Methods Appendix B: Measurements and other Physical Features of greater one-horned rhinoceros captured in Royal Chitwan National Park, Nepal Appendix C: Demographic and Genetic Data Appendix D: Seasonal Home Range and Daily Movements Appendix E: A Profile of Rhinoceros Behavior Appendix F: Reproductive Histories of Adult Female Rhinoceros References Index