Khan, M., 1989. Asian Rhinos: an action plan for their conservation. Gland, IUCN, pp. i-iv, 1-23
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World |
| Subject: |
Conservation |
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Indian Rhino |
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The emphasis of this action plan is to consider what needs to be done to preserve the species in perpetuity. Thus, the main objectives that should govern immediate conservation actions are detailed along with specific recommendations derived from these objectives. Application of these recom- mendations is considered separately for Nepal and India.
Objectives
1.To maintain a total wild population of at least 2,000 rhinos.
2.To maintain these rhinos in at least six major sanctuaries in the current range of the species: Kaziranga, Manas, Orang and Dudhwa in India; Chitawan and Bardia in Nepal.
3.To expand this number of rhinos and sanctuaries when and where possible.
4.To respond to specific threats to viable populations in the wild (especially anti-poaching measures) as required.
5. To maintain a captive population capable of long-term viability to guard against any unforeseen extinction of the wild population.
6.To continue efforts to close down the trade in rhino products.
General Recommendations
a. Concentrate efforts on areas in which reasonably viable wildd populations (> 100 rhinos) in the wild can be established, i.e. India (Kaziranga, Manas, Dudhwa, Orang); Nepak (Chitawan, Bardia). Such efforts should include anti-poaching measures, training of staff, public education campaigns, ecological studies and population monitoring. In addition, methods which allow local people to benefit from the existence of the rhinos (such as tourist revenues) should be investigated.
b. Calculate the resources currently available and those additionally required to provide adequate protection for these populations. Develop project proposals to donors for the additional resources, as needed.
c. Assess the value to the conservation of the species of the small remnant populations of rhinos, e.g. Jaldapara, through better information on current status and cost-benefit analyses of increased protection and management in such areas.
d. Conduct biochemical and genetic studies to determine whether the now disjunct populations in the Terai and the Brahmaputra Basin constitute evolutionarily significant units (ESUs) justifying preservation as separate entities. Encourage zoos to provide tissue and blood from their animals to begin these investigations as soon as possible.
e. Continue efforts to establish other wild populations elsewhere in India and Nepal through translocations. But such translocations should be limited to sanctuaries where the carrying capacity exceeds 100 rhinos. It is recommended that 30-40 rhinos be translocated as the foundation of new populations and that there be follow-up surveillance to measure the success of the translocation.
f. Investigate alternatives to the proposed highway through Bardia reserve and the railway line bordering Kaziranga National Park.
g. Expand the captive population to at least 150 rhinos, mainly through propagation of rhinos already in zoos. Evaluate the need for and benefit of more founder stock from the wild, through population viability analyses (PVA) and with reference to results from the ESU investigations (see no. 4 above).
h. Encourage wildlife officials and their governments in India and Nepal to participate more fully in the activities of the IUCN/SSC Asian RhinoSpecialist Group(ARSG). In this regard, the 1986 Jakarta meeting of the ARSG proposed that future meetings of the Group be held in India and Nepal, as well as in the South-east Asian countries.
i. Continue measures to prevent illegally poached rhino horn from leaving India for markets in eastern Asia.
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Asian Rhinos: an action plan for their conservation
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