Alert sounded over Asian rhino

Asia's rhinos are regarded as some of the most endangered species in the world

GENEVA, Switzerland (CNN) -- An upsurge in poaching to feed a growing demand for so-called traditional medicines is threatening to wipe out the already endangered Asian Rhino, the World Wildlife Fund warned Wednesday.

According to the conservation group report, almost 100 rhinos have been shot by poachers in the past four years, presenting a dramatically increased threat to an estimated 2,900 animals that remain in the wild.

The poachers, operating mainly in Nepal and India, are mainly in pursuit of the animal's horn and a few other body parts that are used in some forms of Asian traditional medicine.

"Recently, 15 rhinos were killed in a five month spate of poaching in Nepal, showing us that there is no room for complacency in our battle to save this species," said Elizabeth Kemf, of WWF's Species Programme, co-author of the report, entitled "Wanted Alive: Asian rhinos in the wild."

GALLERY Asia's endangered rhinos    UNDER THREAT • There are thought to be just 2,900 Asian rhinos surviving in the wild   Including:  • 2,400 Greater One-Horned Rhinos (approx)   • 300 Sumatran Rhinos   • 50-60 Javan Rhinos in Indonesia, plus a maxiumum of 8 in Vietnam     WEBLINK Read the full report from the WWF     CNN.com Asia More news from our Asia edition

In addition to poaching the three species of Asian rhino are also under threat from agricultural land clearance, logging and the spread of commercial plantations all of which are steadily reducing the creature's native habitat.

"The Asian rhino will only be saved from extinction if we can reduce the pervasive ongoing demand for traditional Asian medicine and restore its shrinking and fragmented habitat," Kemf said.

As the rhinos' living space and forest cover is reduced, says the WWF, the opportunities for poaching increase as do other threats to the species' survival such as genetic in-breeding and natural disasters such as flooding.

Ancient creatures

Asian rhinos are one of the world's most ancient creatures having roamed the planet for tens of millions of years.

Of the three Asian species, the Sumatran and Javan Rhinos are considered the most endangered.

From an estimated global population of 600 Sumatran Rhinos in 1994, the WWF says there are now fewer than 300.

Javan Rhinos are even rarer with an estimated 50-60 animals in Indonesia and eight or less thought to survive in Vietnam.

The rhino's horn is prized by poachers for the high price it fetches for inclusion in some traditional medicines

Both species are listed as "critically endangered", while the Greater One-Horned Rhino, which numbers around 2,400, is listed as "endangered."

However, despite the apparently gloomy prospects for the Asian rhinos the WWF report says there have been some success stories.

The report's authors point in particular to the case of the Kaziranga National Park in northeastern India, which had just a dozen one-horned rhinos in the early 20th century, but is now home to an estimated 1,500 today.

Nonetheless the report says there is no room for complacency.

Top of the list for action, the authors say, are immediate moves to protect the rhinos' remaining habitat.

However, they add that only by quelling the demand for rhino horn through education campaigns and the promotion of medicinal alternatives will the deadly trade eventually be halted.