Rhino reintroduction success in Assam
- Category
Environment
- Published
21st Jun, 2022
-
Context
Recently, the latest census (14th Assam rhino estimation) revealed that the Manas National Park rhinos have higher life expectancy but need translocation support.
About
The 14th Assam rhino estimation
- The rhino census in the Manas Park was carried out in all three ranges: Bhuyanpara, Bansbari and Panbari comprising 71 estimation blocks.
- The current rhino population in the park was estimated at 40.
- The park’s rhinos have a male-female sex ratio of 1:1.
- The number of calves born in the wild reflects the availability of welfare factors to foster rhinos in Manas National Park.
- Methodology: Total count or Direct count method
- A total count is generally used when a single species is targeted to be counted in a well-defined, specific area.
- This method assumes the detection probability to be one, which means that each and every animal has a 100% chance of being seen during the counting.
Limitations of this method
- The limitations of this method include undercounting as the assumption of a detection probability of 1 is unrealistic especially if the population closure cannot be established satisfactorily within a small area of 10-20 sq. km.
- Total count requires high visibility to observe the animals from far off, which is not possible in case of “shy, cryptic animals”.
- The level of precision cannot be measured in total counts either.
About Greater One-Horned Rhino
- There are three species of rhino in Asia-
- Greater one-horned (Rhinoceros unicornis)
- Javan
- Sumatran
- World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 every year.
- The five rhino range nations are India, Bhutan, Nepal, Indonesia and Malaysia.
- They have signed ‘The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019’ for the conservation and protection of the species.
- IUCN Red list-
- Javan and Sumatran Rhino are critically endangered
- Greater one-horned (or Indian) rhino is vulnerable
- CITES-
- All three listed under Appendix I
- Wildlife Protection Act, 1972-
- Greater one-horned rhino is listed under the Schedule I of the Act.
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