Context

According to a recent survey, the population of one-horned rhinoceros at the Kaziranga National Park has registered an increase of 200, taking the total to 2,613.

This was the 14th Rhino Population Census.

About

Key Findings:

• The survey revealed the presence of:
  • 1,823 adult rhinos (above six years)
  • 365 sub-adult (between three to six years)
  • 279 juvenile (one to three years)
  • calves 146 (0 to one year)
• Assam now has an estimated 2,845 rhinos, the highest in India, if the figures of the recent surveys in two other rhino habitats are factored in.
• The Orang National Park has 125 rhinos while the Pobitara Wildlife Sanctuary has 107 rhinos, a rise of 24 and five over the 2018 survey figures.
• The census at Manas National Park found 48 rhinos in April 2021.

Important facts about Rhino There are five species and 11 subspecies of rhino. White, Black, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran make up the five species of rhino in the world.  White and black rhinoceros are native to Africa. Indian, Javan and Sumatran can be found in India and Asia. Habitat: The animal is primarily found in the Himalayan foothills — India and Nepal. World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 to make people more aware about rhinos and promote its conservation. Conservation Status The IUCN lists the one-horned rhino, also known as the Indian rhinoceros, as vulnerable. Rhinoceros are listed in Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as endangered animals. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 allows for destruction of wildlife parts (including rhino horn) under Section 39 (3). There is an international ban on trade of rhino horns under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES).

Rhino Operations in India:

Our annual operations include:

• Providing logistical support and training for wildlife crime enforcement;
• Tracking and monitoring rhinos on a continual basis to ensure their safety;
• Continuing intensive monitoring of these populations;
• Growing population by translocating animals to new, sustainable habitats;
• Working with local communities to build support for rhino conservation through education and employment;
• Habitat management, including invasive species removal.

About Indian Rhino Vision:

• It was launched in 2005.
• IRV 2020 is an initiative led by the Forest Department, Government of Assam, in partnership with WWF India, International Rhino Foundation, and several other organizations.
• Wild-to-wild translocations were an essential part of IRV2020, moving rhinos from densely populated parks like Kaziranga NP, to ones in need of more rhinos, like Manas NP.
• The goal of IRV2020 was to increase the rhino population in Assam to 3,000 by establishing populations in new areas.
• Rhinos are now found in four Protected Areas in Assam: Pobitora Wildlife Reserve, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Kaziranga National Park, and Manas National Park.