one-horned-rhino-returns-to-its-ancestral-land-in-dudhwa

Dudhwa National Park has released its first one-horned rhinoceros into the open forest after four decades of dedicated efforts.

 

The male rhino, Raghu, aged between 12 and 15 years, was released on Thursday into the 27-square-kilometre Rhino Rehabilitation Area-1 (RRA-1), marking a significant milestone in the reintroduction of the species to their natural habitat.

 

Field Director of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), Lalit Verma, confirmed the development, noting that three female rhinos are also slated for release by Friday evening.

 

“This marks a major step forward in our ongoing efforts to restore rhinos to the wild,” Verma said.

 

The release of Raghu followed extensive evaluations by a team of experts from Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF India), and the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI).

These specialists assessed the behaviour, health, and condition of around 10 rhinos in the fenced rehabilitation area before finalising the selection.

Raghu was tranquillised, fitted with a radio collar for tracking and monitoring, and released into the wild under the close supervision of conservation experts.

“This marks the beginning of a new chapter for rhinos in Dudhwa,” Verma remarked, adding that the released rhinos will be closely monitored to ensure they adapt well to their new environment.

The rhino rehabilitation programme in Dudhwa began with just five individuals in RRA-1. Over the years, the population has grown to 46, prompting the establishment of a second rehabilitation area (RRA-2) at Bhadi Tal in the Belrayan range, where four rhinos have already been relocated.

Verma highlighted that the release of rhinos into the open forest is aimed at increasing genetic diversity within the local population.

Dr Rengaraju, one of the monitoring experts, addressed concerns about human-wildlife conflict.

 

He noted that rhinos generally behave differently from carnivores and only become aggressive if they feel their calves are in danger or if provoked. 

“The rhinos will be closely monitored to prevent any conflicts with humans or other wildlife,” he assured.

 

This release signifies the successful return of rhinos to their ancestral lands in Dudhwa after more than a century.

 

The programme not only aids the recovery of the local rhino population but also serves as a model for similar conservation efforts in the region.

 

Dudhwa authorities remain committed to safeguarding these majestic creatures and ensuring their integration into the wild while balancing conservation goals with community interests.