Rhino Translocation in India

IRF and partners shared in a landmark event during the weekend of April 12-13 2008 in India. Two male Indian greater-one horned rhinos were successfully translocated from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary to Manas National Park on Saturday morning. This is the first time that the translocation of wild rhinos has been conducted in Assam. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary has the highest density of rhino population in the world with over 80 rhinos in less than 4 450 acres 18 km2 of rhino habitat. Translocation forms the backbone of the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 a joint project of the Government of Assam WWF India the US Fish and Wildlife Service and the International Rhino Foundation - that aims to attain a population of 3 000 wild rhinos in seven of Assam s protected areas by the year 2020. This translocation is the first of many planned as part of this endeavor. Photos by Sujoy Banerjee Director Species Conservation WWF-India