Re-introduction of greater one-horned rhino in Manas National Park, Assam, India – under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020

Summary

The greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), Vulnerable and reduced by historical hunting to a stronghold of about 2,500 of the roughly 3,250 wild individuals remaining in India and Nepal concentrated in Assam, was reintroduced to Manas National Park under the Indian Rhino Vision 2020, a collaboration launched in 2005 between the Assam Forest Department, Bodoland Territorial Council, International Rhino Foundation, WWF and the US Fish and Wildlife Service aiming to expand the state's rhino range and grow its population to 3,000 by 2020. After several years assessing and strengthening Manas's habitat and anti-poaching security, and building community awareness and support among fringe communities, a Translocation Core Committee began capturing rhinos in April 2008, with animals darted and crated in the morning at source sites, Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary and Kaziranga National Park, then trucked overnight to arrive at Manas by early morning for release. Between April 2008 and March 2012, 18 rhinos (10 from Pabitora, 8 from Kaziranga) were translocated to Manas against an initial target of 20, with all releases fitted with VHF collars and ear notches for individual identification, monitored around the clock by vehicle, trained elephant and motorcycle patrols and logged into a GIS-based tracking system. Difficulties included procuring tranquilizing drugs from abroad through complex import procedures with short expiry windows, unpredictable weather, and sustaining morale among a largely voluntary field team with no dedicated permanent staffing. The project rates itself highly successful, crediting strong coordination and teamwork among partner organizations and sustained government commitment to the initiative.