 Reference Base  Status of Rhinoceros unicornis in Pabitora Wildlife Sanct... |
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Talukdar, B.K., 1999. Status of Rhinoceros unicornis in Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam. Tiger Paper 26 (1): 8-10
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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The sanctuary is surrounded by villages on all sides and it was observed that the rhinos stray out of the sanctuary to forage, especially during the night. About 25-30% of the rhinos of Pabitora stray out of the core notified area to forage in the surrounding villages and as far out as 30-40 km from the sanctuary boundaries. The poacher fully utilize this opportunity to kill the rhinos for their horns. To cope with the problem, the Forest Department set up 14 camps outside the sanctuary to complement the 13 camps inside the sanctuary. Despite the constant vigilance of the forest staffs, around 10% of the total poaching occurred outside the sanctuary area. In addition to using guns and poison to kill the rhinos, in recent years poachers have successfully killed four rhinos by electrocution. The poachers utilize the high tension electric line passing through the sanctuary by connecting a wire to it and setting the wire on a rhino path.
Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary is threatened with encroachment and grazing of livestock within the sanctuary. Around 2,500-3,000 cattle graze in the area, damaging the habitat. Illegal collection of thatch and firewood is done throughout the year, as is fishing. Some of the fringe villages give shelter to poachers and act as guides to lead them to the rhinos. Poaching activities originating from these areas that serve is launching pads for illegal acts should be monitored properly by the management of'tlie wildlife sanctuary in order to stop further poaching of rhinos in Pabitora.
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