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In News
- December is the best time to translocate the rhinoceros of Assam as flood waters subside by that time as per a study published in Pachyderm journal.
Who conducted the study?
- The study was carried out in two protected areas in the Brahmaputra river Valley
- Kaziranga National Park (KNP) and
- Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS)
- It was recently published in the Pachyderm journal.
About Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS)
Source: Pachyderm About Pachyderm
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Key highlights of the study
- Movement across highlands:
- The study observed a new behavioural category, i.e swimming.
- Despite heavy flood water current, calves and sub-adult rhinos in KNP and especially the lone BWS sub-adult female rhino were observed to swim frequently .
- The motive for these movements may have been to eat the aquatic plants or (in the case of KNP individuals) to avoid other animals.
- Behaviour towards stress:
- The study found that during the high flood period, adult rhinos of KNP spent most time resting.
- It may be a behavioural response to overcome stress during this time.
- In contrast, adult rhinos were almost never observed swimming.
- They remained on the highland refuges, appeared sluggish and hardly moved.
- The minimal movement of adult rhinos was not only a tactic to overcome stress, but also previous experience of high floods .
- That it is safer to remain on the raised areas and not to attempt to escape by swimming against the strong current.
- The study found that during the high flood period, adult rhinos of KNP spent most time resting.
- Adult rhinos are the best choice for translocation:
- Rather than a sub-adult or a mother with a calf as adult animals have better survival capabilities than others.
- Best time for translocation:
- The ideal time for rhino translocation would be early December.
- This allows areas to recover from the effects of floods in June to September
- While allowing newly released rhinos sufficient time to settle in their new habitat before the next monsoon starts.
Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020
Reasons for Indian Rhino Vision plan
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Importance of the study and Conclusion
- The largest population of Indian rhinoceros lives on the Brahmaputra flood plains.
- Here, flooding poses a major threat to their survival.
- This study finding may therefore be incorporated into the design and implementation of Indian rhino conservation programmes.
- Better implementation of Indian Rhinos Conservation Programs
- Additionally, the study will help shape future expansion programmes for Indian rhinos in the same habitat.
Greater One-Horned Rhino Source: WWF
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Source: DTE
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