Assam, in north-east India, is the main stronghold for the great Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis, with most of the 1500 or so individuals that live there concentrated in parks and sanctuaries. Despite valiant efforts to protect them, the forest guards are poorly equipped and no match for poachers armed with automatic weapons or those who make use of high-voltage power lines to electrocute the animals. The authors have discussed the many problems besetting rhino conservation in Assam with wildlife officials and they make several recommendations that would improve the situation.