A VITAL project supported by Chester Zoo to ensure the survival of Indian rhinos has been a huge success.
In a move to ensure the survival of this vulnerable species, four rhinos – one male and three females – were translocated from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas National Park.
The animals join two females that were moved to Manas in late December, and five rhinos (two males and three females) that were moved in 2008.
Funding from the zoo, a conservation charity, played a part in helping the move go ahead.
Indian rhinos are a conservation success story. The species has recovered from about 200 animals in the early 1990s to more than 2,850 today.
Resembling living armoured tanks, the species is a popular zoo animal with about 175 Indian rhinos living in 66 zoos around the world.
As a result of increasing commitment to conservation, zoos from Europe, Australia and the United States have joined forces to support the rhino moves.
Pobitora, where the four rhinos were captured, boasts the highest density of rhinos in the world, with more than 90 rhinos in less than 18 square kilometres of rhino habitat.
To minimise the chance of loss from disease and other disasters, the rhinos need to be spread among other parks.
The translocations will lessen pressure on Pobitora’s rhinos for food and space, and hopefully reduce the number of rhinos straying into nearby villages which can lead to injuries to people and animals.
Moving a rhino is no easy task and the moves are the result of months of meticulous planning for every possible situation that might arise from capture to release.
Under the guidance of veterinarians, field workers, park guards, conservationists and forest department officials, the four animals were captured and released within 24 hours.
Dr Roger Wilkinson, Chester Zoo’s head of field conservation and research, said: “Chester Zoo’s conservation efforts extend beyond the zoo’s boundaries and assistance from organisations such as ours can make a real difference to species everywhere.
“The translocation of these rhinos is a real success story and one that we are proud to support.”
It is not the first time the zoo has supported Manas National Park. In 2008 it provided funding to help reduce the risk of poaching, human-wildlife conflict, disease transmission and ultimately protecting the habitat. Community projects were also supported.
Manas National Park
Manas National Park, once an icon among India’s many spectacular wildlife reserves, was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
Manas is home to the tiger, pygmy hog and golden langur as well as elephants, wild buffalo and Indian bison.
Rhinos were once common in the park, but violent civil conflict beginning in 1989 caused massive damage to the park’s infrastructure.