 Reference Base  The current state of rhino in Assam and threats in the 21... |
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Talukdar, B.K., 2000. The current state of rhino in Assam and threats in the 21st century. Pachyderm 29: 39-47, fig. 1, photos 1-5, tables 1-6
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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - India |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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The status of rhino in Orang has been of great concern of late because of the increased number of incidents of poaching. As a result of the conservation ettorts made since Orang was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, its rhino population increased from 65 in 1985 to 97 in 1991 (Talukdar 1995). However, Vigne and Martin (1998) showed that the number of poaching incidents increased during 1994 to 1997, when poachers killed 36 rhinos. The current study shows that from January 1998 to September 2000, 25 more rhinos were killed by poachers in Orang, resulting in only 46 rhinos counted during the 1999 rhino census there.
The local NGOs and officials from the forest department considered the seriousness of the situation and proposed that the Assam government upgrade the Orang Wildlife Sanctuary to a national park. In April 1999, the government finally declared Orang a national park. A number of NG0s, mainly Aaranyak, supported by the David Shepherd Conservation Foundation, have donated 18 walkie-talkies and 10 solar panels to Orang to enhance the anti-poaching efforts of the forest staff. The Rhino Foundation, supported by the US Fish and Wildlife Service, has donated two base stations for wireless communication and more walkie-talkies, thus strengthening the wireless network system to a great extent. A Gypsy 4-wheel-drive vehicle was donated to Orang by Care for the Wild, a local NGO, and Aaranyak and the David Shepherd Conservation Foundation donated a locally made metal speed boat to improve the mobility of the forest staff and allow them to carry out their duties effectively. The improved wireless network in Orang has led to fewer rhinos being poached-from 12 in 1998 to 7 in 1999 and 6 in 2000 by the end of September. The forest guards of Orang killed a poacher in an encounter in 1999.
Local NGOs in Assam like the Rhino Foundation, Aaranyak and Early Birds fully supported Orang during those years of heavy poaching, helping staff to bring the situation under control. Aaranyak organized two legal awareness camps for range officers, forest guards and officials, which the divisional forest offices. also attended. An advocate of the Gauhati High Court who was also the Aaranyak legal consultant conducted the orientation camps. The participants learned various aspects of existing law and law enforcement to protect endangered species.
The Rhino Foundation repaired the boat used in the anti-poaching efforts, and Early Birds held vaccination camps for the domestic cattle in the villages bordering the park to stop the transmission of the deadly anthrax from domestic cattle to wild rhinos. The Early Birds plan of creating an immune belt to stop the spread of anthrax is aimed to have a long-term effect in reducing rhino death from the disease in the national park. Most deaths that are termed natural are caused by anthrax or related diseases.
Although flood is one of the major disasters in Kaziranga National Park and the Pabitora Wildlife Sanctuary, its impact on Orang National Park is negligible. Not a single rhino in Orang has been killed by flood. Although some areas of Orang are flooded, the higher northern terrace rei-nains dry, and rhinos migrate to these areas when floodwaters are high.
Protection measures need to be improved to further strengthen the anti-poaching network and reduce rhino poaching in Orang. The NGOs continue to improve their support.
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