DOCSLIB.ORG

A Study on the Behaviour of Great Indian One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros Unicornis Linn.) in the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Study on the Behaviour of Great Indian One-Horned Rhino (Rhinoceros Unicornis Linn.) in the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) Hazarika & Saikia 62-74 A study on the behaviour of Great Indian One-horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis Linn .) in the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Assam, India B.C. Hazarika 1 and P. K. Saikia 2 1Department of Zoology Mangaldai College, Mangaldai - 784125, Assam, India 2Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Guwahati - 784014, Assam, India Author for correspondence: [email protected] © NECEER, Imphal ABSTRACT Great Indian One-horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) is a Schedule -I species of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 confined only in few pockets of India and Nepal. The present study deals with behavioural ecology of Indian Rhino in Brahmaputra Flood Plain representative area - Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park which is the only home of this primitive mammalian species on the northern bank of river Brahmaputra. Study revealed two Fundamental/ Basic types of behaviour - (1) Breeding and (2) Non breeding behaviour. Altogether 14 major behavioural patterns were categorized and these are related to their daily activities. Apart from those major types, certain subtypes were also categorized on Major behavioural types. Study also found that, the behavioural patterns of Rhinoceros unicornis has relationships with their conservation measures. The relationship is even more significant because the knowledge of the behaviour is essential for successful translocation and in-situ conservation Keywords: Rhinoceros unicornis , behaviour, breeding behaviour, non-breeding behaviour, Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, translocation, in-situ conservation Behaviour is the response of extrinsic factors guided (Bhattacharyya, 1991; Ghosh, 1991; Patar, 2005), by intrinsic factors (gene) of an individual of a breeding behaviour (Buechner & Mackler, 1975; species. Hence, the behavioral pattern of one species Buechner et al. 1975; Kakati & Rajkonwar, 1972), is quite different from the other. Again, the sexual behaviour (Ripley 1967), social interaction individuals or a group of same species shows the (Dixon & Macnamara, 1981), play behaviour variation of behavioral pattern in response to habitat (Mackler & Buechner, 1978), food and feeding conditions (e.g. availability and distribution of food behaviour (Patar, 1977; Laurie 1978,82; Ghosh 1991; resources), environmental factors (climatic factors) as Bhattacharyya, 1991), territorial behaviour (Ripley, well as the social factors. Being a solitary and 1967) and also human-rhino conflict (Jnawali, 1988; primitive herbivorous mammal, Indian rhino Hazarika & Saikia, 2005). However, those studies (Rhinoceros unicorns ) shows distinct behavioral were not related to any conservation strategy. characteristics. Laurie (1978, 82) has done Therefore, the present study aimed to find out the remarkable studies on behavioral activities (both definite conclusion for comprehensive conservation diurnal and nocturnal), which covered feeding strategy for Indian Rhino in Rajiv Gandhi Orang behaviour, drinking behaviour, aggressive behaviour, National Park as well as in Brahmaputra flood plain non-breeding play behaviour and reproductive habitats. behaviour etc. Study Area Various scattered information are available, regarding the behavioral pattern of Rhinoceros unicornis , such The Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park (co- as aggressive behaviour (Lahan, 1974), daily activity ordinates, 92°15´-92 °27´E and 26°29´-26°40´N) is (Bhattacharya & Pal, 1982; Venugopal et al. 1994; situated in the north bank of the river Brahmaputra Yadav, 2000), feeding and wallowing behaviour and within the administrative boundary of Darrang 62 NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) and Sonitpur districts of Assam, India (Fig. 1). The portion is more recent origin, whereas the upper study area is located at about 130 km apart from the portion to its north is separated by high bank, state capital city Guwahati and under the jurisdiction traversing the park from east to west. The terrain is of Mangaldai Wildlife Division, Department of gently sloping from North to South. The altitude of Environment and Forests, Government of Assam. the study area ranges between of 45-75 m above MSL. The eastern side of the study area is bounded by Borsola area and river Brahmaputra of Sonitpur The entire protected area was a human habitat area district, southern side by the river Brahmaputra, till the last decade of 19 th century (Talukdar and western side by the tributary Dhansiri and Bogoribari Sharma, 1995). Prior to declaration of Orang as a village area and the northern side is bounded by ‘Game Reserve’ in 1915, different ethnic groups Nalbari and Rongagora villages of Darrang district. occupied the entire study area. Two large tributaries The study area comprises of alluvial floodplains of of the river Brahmaputra, namely Dhansiri and the river Brahmaputra. In fact, the complete study Panchnoi are associated with numbers of streams and area is an alluvial terrace and the Rajiv Gandhi Orang nullah that criss-crosses the park and became the National Park could be divided into two halves i.e. source of water for the entire habitat. The area was lower Orang and upper Orang. The lower Orang declared as National Park on 8th April 1999. Figure 1. Location map of Study Area (Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park). 63 NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) Methodology etc. were newly coined for the study. The study was carried out from 2004-06. The collected data on Sampling methods different behavioural patterns, habitat utilization During “Dawn to Dusk” follow up action of Indian patterns etc. were analyzed graphically, using Rhino, the occurrences of reproductive display, Microsoft Excel software and quantification of each feeding, wallowing, locomotion and aggressive behaviour was computed to get the actual time behaviour etc. were recorded (Laurie, 1978; 82), allocation for different activities of Indian Rhino. using Scan Animal Sampling and Ad. Libitum Sampling methods (Altman, 1974). Results During field survey in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National All the observed behavioural patterns of Indian Rhino Park, presence of newborns, calf and dung heaps were divided into two basic types such as (a) were recorded with their frequency of occurrences. Breeding behaviour and (b) Non breeding behaviour. The GPS locations of dung heap sighted and patterns The breeding behaviours were related to breeding of tracks (Dandis ) were also recorded. Apart from activities or associated with breeding purposes. The that, the monthly visits of each fringe villages were other behaviours, which were not associated with made to record the crop-depredation. The information breeding purposes, were grouped together as non- of crop damage and destruction of other cultivated breeding behaviour. plant species were investigated at the fringe village sites and recorded in the notebook. If there were any Cataloguing of behaviour information of human injury or causality of both the Altogether 14 major behavioural patterns were human and Indian Rhino, it was recorded after categorized for Indian Rhino in Rajiv Gandhi Orang interview. The stray out information of Indian Rhino National Park, those were such as (1) Feeding, (2) from the park area was collected and the GPS Locomotion, (3) Comfort, (4) Vigilance, (5) Non- locations of visiting sites and the status of the Rhino breeding agonistic behaviour, (6) Non- breeding play after stray out were also recorded. For the behaviour, (7) Local migration, (8) Crop raiding observation of behaviour, the terms and nomenclature behaviours, (9) Vocalization, (10) Courtship of the behaviour were used from the published behaviour, (11) Mating behaviour, (12) Breeding play literature (Laurie, 1978, 82; Ghosh, 1991; behaviour, (13) Breeding Vocalization and (14) Bhattacharyya, 1991) and some behaviour like soil Breeding agonistic behaviours. licking; local migration, dive feeding and dragging Figure 2. One-horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis Linn .) in the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Assam, India 64 NeBIO (2010) Vol. 1(2) Apart from these major types, certain subtypes were process. Rhinos occasionally consume bark, also categorized, such as under locomotion three fruits and seeds of edible shrubs and trees. subtypes were identified (i) Walking (ii) Galloping iii) Geophagy (Soil licking/eating): Rhino and (iii) Running, under feeding behaviour, six frequently consume soil from some particular subtypes, such as (i) Browsing (ii) Grazing (iii) location of the habitat. The soil licking Drinking and (iv) Dive-feeding (v) Breast feeding behaviour was performed by using tongue. and (vi) Geophagy. Under non-breeding agonistic During the process Rhino forwarded its tongue and breeding agonistic behaviour, five subtypes were tip and licking the soil and consume it. Apart categorized such as (i) Snorting (ii) Threat Display from that, incisor teeth were also used to dig the (iii) Chasing (iv) Attacking and (v) Escaping selected soil and occasionally consumed a bulk behaviour. Under comfort behaviour, three sub-types of soil itself. During soil licking, they created a were categorized, such as (i) Resting (ii) Sleeping deep and wide den like structure. Same soil and (iii) Wallowing. Under wallowing behaviour, two licking spots were also observed to use by subdivisions such as (a) Mud wallowing and (b) several Rhino at different times. Water wallowing. In case of breeding behaviour, two iv) Breast feeding: Rhino calves performed breast- major types of behaviours were found such as (1) feeding activity by sucking the mother’s nipple, Courtship behaviour and (2) Mating behaviour
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Issue 23.Indd
    Issue 23 • February 2, 2010 Copyright 2008 - An IN FOCUS...4 YOU Publication FREE COPY N FOCUS ...4 YOU FOR YOUR READING PLEASURE Administration and Advertising P.O. Box 2 Mee Chok Plaza #4 Chiangmai, Thailand 50300 Email: [email protected] Website: www.infocus4.com The Power of Positive Thinking 18/1 Vieng-kaew Road Tambon Sriphoom Amphur Muang Chiang Mai 50200 by Remez Sasson ositive thinking is a mental attitude that admits into the mind thoughts, words and images that Pare conductive to growth, expansion and success.ss. It 4 is a mental attitude that expects good and favorable results. A ContentsTO YOUR GOOD HEALTH positive mind anticipates happiness, joy, health and a success- ful outcome of every situation and action. Whatever the mind 5 DID YOU expects, it fi nds. KNOW... 7 Not everyone accepts or believes in positive thinking. Some 6 consider the subject as just nonsense, and others scoff at people who believe and accept it. Among the people who accept it, not TIPSTIPS many know how to use it effectively to get results. Yet, it seems that many are becoming YOU CAN USE attracted to this subject, as evidenced by the many books, lectures and courses about it. 8 TECHNOBYTES This is a subject that is gaining popularity. PUBLIC AND MORE INFORMATION 11 It is quite common to hear people say: “Think positive!”, to someone who feels down and CHIANG MAI 121 worried. Most people do not take these words seriously, as they do not know what they HAPPENINGS really mean, or do not consider them as useful and effective.
    [Show full text]
  • One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Unicornis)
    One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) August, 2009 Indian National Studbook of One Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) Studbook compiled and analysed by Anupam Srivastav Parag Nigam Supported by 2 Copyright © WII, Dehradun, and CZA, New Delhi, 2010 Cover Photo: WII Photo Library This report may be quoted freely but the source must be acknowledged and cited as: Srivastav, A. and Nigam, P. 2010. Indian National Studbook of One horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun and Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi. Published as a Technical Report of the CZA assignment for the compilation and publication of the Indian National Studbooks for selected endangered species of wild animals in Indian Zoos. Acknowledgements This Studbook is a part of the Central Zoo Authority, New Delhi, assignment to the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, for the compilation and publication of studbooks of selected endangered species of wild animals in Indian zoos. The authors wish to thank the Central Zoo Authority for financial support and the opportunity to compile the National Studbook for One Horned Rhinoceros. We are thankful to Shri. P. R. Sinha, Director WII for his guidance and support. We would also like to express our appreciation for the advice and support extended by Dr. V.B. Mathur, Dean Faculty of Wildlife Sciences, WII. The authors also wish to thank all the staff members of the Central Zoo Authority, specially Dr. B.K. Gupta, Evaluation and Monitoring Officer, Dr. Naeem Akhtar, Scientific Officer and Shri. Vivek Goyal, Data Processing Assistant, for their advice and support. The help of the following Zoos holding One horned rhinoceros in India is gratefully acknowledged in compilation of the studbook data.
    [Show full text]
  • Southern White Rhino Interim Final Rule Questions and Answers
    Southern White Rhino Interim Final Rule Questions and Answers 1. What action is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service taking today? The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is announcing an interim final rule to add the southern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum simum) to the Federal List of Threatened and Endangered Wildlife. The southern white rhino will be listed as a threatened species under the similarity of appearance provisions of the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 2. Why is the Service taking this action? Poaching and the illegal trade in rhinoceros horn pose serious threats to all rhinoceros species worldwide. The Service has determined listing the southern white rhino as threatened under the authority of section 4(e) of the ESA, due to the similarity in appearance with the endangered Javan (Rhinoceros sondaicus), Sumatran (Dicerorhinos sumatrensis), Indian (Rhinoceros unicornis), black (Diceros bicornis) and northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) will substantially facilitate law enforcement actions to protect and conserve all rhino species. Differentiating between the horns and horn products made from the southern white rhino and the endangered Javan, Sumatran, Indian, black, and northern white rhino is extremely difficult. Demand for rhino horns has increased the poaching of all species of rhino worldwide. In recent years, demand has increased dramatically, fueled by the unfounded belief that it can cure ailments ranging from hangovers to cancer. Rhino horn is also used in libation cups and decorative carvings. The fact that this single subspecies is not listed provides a significant loophole for those trafficking in all rhino horns and other rhino products.
    [Show full text]
  • THE ASIATIC ONE HORNED RHINOCEROS (Rhinoceros Unicornis) in INDIA and NEPAL – ECOLOGY MANAGEMENT and CONSERVATION STRATEGIES
    THE ASIATIC ONE HORNED RHINOCEROS (Rhinoceros unicornis) IN INDIA AND NEPAL – ECOLOGY MANAGEMENT AND CONSERVATION STRATEGIES SATYA PRIYA SINHA BITAPI C.SINHA QAMAR QURESHI 2011 CONTENTS Introduction Morphological Features of Indian Rhinoceros Ecological Aspect Behavioral Aspect Legal Status Conservational Implications Past and Present Distribution Status of Rhino Areas in India and Nepal Rhino Reintroduction Programme in India and Nepal Action Plans for Rhino Conservation in India and Nepal Declaration of IUCN - Asian Rhino Specialist Group (AsRSG), Meeting held in Kaziranga NP, Assam, 1999 Declaration of IUCN - Asian Rhino Specialist Group (AsRSG), Meeting held in Kaziranga NP, Assam, 2007 Bibliography INTRODUCTION The Asiatic one-horned Rhinoceros/ Greater Indian One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is perhaps the most endangered species of Indian mega fauna and one of the five remaining species of rhinoceros of an approximately 30 genera that once roamed the world (Nowak and Paradiso, 1883). Rhinoceroses first appeared in the late Eocene period. The oldest Indian rhinoceros like species was Brontops robustus, but the genus Rhinoceros may be traced back to the Pliocene period in northern India, and fossilized remains show that these animals were dwellers of riversides and marshes. In India, the rhinoceros has an old and traditional-linked history. The representation of the rhinoceros ichnographically or its mention in written accounts has been reviewed by a number of authors including Yule and Burnell (1903), Ali(1927), Ettinghausen (1950), Rao (1957) and Rookmaaker (1982). Although most of these quote sixteenth and seventeenth century accounts by medieval authors and other secondhand information’s, the accounts by Al Beruni and Ibn Batuta, two historians and scholars of the same period, are among the more authentic and details one.
    [Show full text]
  • United States Gives Helping Hand to International Rhino
    ,,tiom t-he U.S. Fish and Wildlife Seyyice March 13, 1997 Patricia Fisher 202-208-5634 - CONSERVATION PROJECTS WITH FIRST-EVER GRANTS UNDER THE RHINOCEROS AND TIGER CONSERVATION ACT New on-the-ground help for rhinos and tigers, among the world's most critically endangered animals, was announced today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service with the first round of grants awarded under the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act of 1994. A total of 14 projects in Africa and Asia will receive nearly $251,000 from 1996 and 1997 appropriated funds. The funds must be matched by private donations. "We need quick-strike capability to fend off the looming extinction of rhinos and tigers," said Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt. "Although modest, the grant money will go directly where it is most needed-- to the local groups fighting on the front lines of this daunting conservation challenge.t' At latest count, there were fewer than 10,000 rhinos and approximately 5,000 tigers left in the wild worldwide. Although all populations of both species are protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), an international conservation agreement, and in this country by the Endangered Species Act, the lucrative illegal trade in their parts and products continues. African rhinoceros populations and Asian rhinoceros and tiger populations are increasingly threatened by human predation. Poorly equipped, ill-trained, and under-funded local law enforcement officers are no match against well-financed and -outfitted poachers. Also, as human populations grow, people and wildlife compete for space. Encroachment and development are creating enormous pressure on wild rhinos and tigers.
    [Show full text]
  • BASELZOO F ZOOBASEL International Studbook Greater One-Horned Or Indian Rhinoceros 2006
    - . GREATER ONE-HORNED OR INDIAN- RHINOCEROS ~ .. RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS liNNE,1758 . ~ ~ ' IN~ERNJ\TIONAL STUDBOOK 2006 BASELZOO f ZOOBASEL International Studbook Greater One-Horned or Indian Rhinoceros 2006 INTERNATIONAL STUDBOOK for the year 2006 Greater One-Horned or Indian Rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornisLinne, I758 Updated, 31 December 2006 International Studbook Keeper Dr. Gabriele Hlavacek Basel Zoo EEP Species Coordinator Dr. Olivier Pagan Basel Zoo EEP Coordinator's Assistant Beatrice Steck Basel Zoo 14th Edition, published by Zoo Basel, Switzerland, 2007 (first edition 1967) BASELZOO Binningerstrasse 40, PO Box, 40rr Base I, Switzerland Phone ++4I 6r 295 35 35, Fax ++4I 6r 28r oo os [email protected], www.zoobasel.ch Imprint Dr. Gabriele Hlavacek Basel Zoo International Studbook Keeper [email protected] Dr. Olivier Pagan Basel Zoo EEP Species Coordinator pagan@zoo basel.ch Beatrice Steck Basel Zoo EEP Coordinator's Assistant [email protected] Dr.h.c. Jiirg Hess, Cover Basel, Switzerland Waiter Schmid, Drawing Basel, Switzerland ZOO EASEL Page> ofsr ZOOBASEL International Studbook Greater One-Horned or Indian Rhinoceros 2006 Contents r Acknowledgements ................................................................................................. :................................. 4 2 Biological Data ............................................................................................................................................. 5 3 Species Status ..............................................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Food Habit and Feeding Patterns of Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Unicornis) in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Assam, India
    International Scholarly Research Network ISRN Zoology Volume 2012, Article ID 259695, 11 pages doi:10.5402/2012/259695 Research Article Food Habit and Feeding Patterns of Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park, Assam, India B. C. Hazarika1 and P. K. Saikia2 1 Department of Zoology, Mangaldai College, Assam, Mangaldai 784125, India 2 Animal Ecology & Wildlife Biology Laboratory, Department of Zoology, Gauhati University, Assam, Guwahati 781014, India Correspondence should be addressed to P. K. Saikia, saikiapk@rediffmail.com Received 2 November 2011; Accepted 20 December 2011 Academic Editor: S. T. Boysen Copyright © 2012 B. C. Hazarika and P. K. Saikia. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Food and feeding patterns of great Indian one-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) has been studied in Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park. Altogether 75 species of grasses, 27 species of herbs-shrubs, 27 species of trees, and 9 species of aquatic plants species were identified as a food-plant species of Indian Rhino in the study area. Of the total 75 species of grasses, 48 species had a relative dominance of <1.0. The Saccharum spontaneum was ranked as the highest relative dominance food-plant among grasses (relative dominance value, 8.45%), while the Cyperus pilosus ranked the lowest (relative dominance value, 0.08%). Among 27 herbs-shrubs species, three had a relative dominance of <1.0. The Diplazium esculentum was ranked the highest relative dominance food plants among herbs-shrubs food plants (relative dominance value, 13.83%), while the Solanum viarum was ranked the lowest (relative dominance value, 0.66%).
    [Show full text]
  • Odd-Toed Ungulates) Ungulates (Meaning Roughly "Being Hoofed" Or "Hoofed Animal") Are Mammals, Which Are Herbivorous, Terrestrial and Relatively Large in Size
    INTRODUCTION TO PERISSODACTYLA (odd-toed ungulates) Ungulates (meaning roughly "being hoofed" or "hoofed animal") are mammals, which are herbivorous, terrestrial and relatively large in size. Most ungulates use the tips of their toes, to sustain their whole body weight while moving. A hoof is really just a modified toenail. Unlike claws and nails, hooves are the principal point of contact between the legs and the ground. The ungulates consists of two orders: Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates) and Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates). Perissodactyla comes from the Greek meaning odd (perissa) toed (dactyl). Perissodactyla’s weight is borne mostly or entirely by the third toe. During their evolution these mammals developed hooves instead of claws. The two orders that exist today diverged from a common hoofed ancestor 60 million years ago during the Eocene period. Evolving along a different course the artiodactyls surpassed the perissodactyls in number and continues to thrive, while the perissodactyls are slowly becoming extinct. TAXONOMY The Order of Perissodactyla consist of three recent families: Equidae, Rhinocerotidae, and Tapiridae which consists of 17 species in six genera. The middle toe of the perissodactyla is the most developed and they are referred to as odd-toed or odd-hoofed ungulates. PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND ADAPTATIONS • Medium-sized to very large-sized mammals • Body weight is supported on a single toe or 3 toes together. 3 or 4 digits may be present on the forefoot and 3 on the hind foot. The main axis of the foot passes through the third digit (or single toe). The first digit is always absent. • Thick skin, sparsely to densely haired.
    [Show full text]
  • RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS, the INDIAN RHINOCEROS 37.1 The
    CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN RHINOCEROS UNICORNIS, THE INDIAN RHINOCEROS 37.1 The Living Animal 37.1.1 Zoology The greater Indian one-horned rhinoceros, or simply the Indian rhi- noceros, is a large, heavily built animal with an average male shoulder height of 1.7 m; females are somewhat smaller (Plate 39). It is the one but largest animal of the South Asian subcontinent. The Indian rhinoc- eros has a long boat-shaped head with one horn on its nose, measuring 20 cm on average. The horn is nothing more than a closely-matted mass of horn fi bres issuing from the skin. It grows throughout life and if lost is produced again. The Indian rhinoceros has short stumpy legs and a thick folded skin with tubercles. This skin is divided into great shields by heavy folds before and behind the shoulders and in front of the thighs. The fold in front of the shoulders is not continued right across the back. On the fl anks, shoulders and hindquarters, the skin bears rounded tubercles. Rhinoceroses are odd-toed ungulates, related to horses and tapirs, bearing three toes on each fore- and hind foot. Indian rhinoceroses are as fond of mud-baths as water buffaloes and pigs are (fi g. 467). As a result of this habit, their bodies are always coated with a cake of mud to protect against insects. They are good swimmers. Indian rhinoceroses live a solitary life and are notoriously bad-tempered, especially when with calf (fi g. 468); they are even reported to attack an elephant. When escaping, a rhinoceros burrows its way through the dense undergrowth, leaving large tunnels hollowed through it.
    [Show full text]
  • Assessment of Habitat Utilization Pattern of Rhinos (Rhinoceros Unicornis) in Orang National Park, Assam, India
    Assessment of habitat utilization pattern of rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Orang National Park, Assam, India Pranjit Kumar Sarma,¹,* B.S. Mipun,³ Bibhab Kumar Talukdar,² Hilloljyoti Singha,² Ajit Kumar Basumatary,² Arup Kumar Das,² Ankita Sarkar² and B.C. Hazarika¹ ¹ Mangaldai College, Mangaldai, Darrang, 784125, Assam ² Aaranyak, 50 Samanwoy Path, Survey, Beltola, Guwahati 781028, Assam ³ Dept. of Geography, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong 793 014, Meghalaya *Corresponding author email: [email protected] Abstract The greater one-horned rhino is performing well in Orang National Park (NP), Assam, despite threats from poaching, which is regarded as one of the major threats to rhinos elsewhere. Orang NP has about 64 rhinos in an area of about 78.80 km2. Habitat assessment is important to support rhino conservation, especially considering the threats posed by the increasing spread of mimosa, a weed that retards the growth of grasses and destroys the grassland habitat that rhinos prefer. This paper deals with habitat utilization by rhinos in Orang NP, which shows the importance of wet grasslands that are dependent on hydrology and flooding dynamics. Additional key words: habitat, threats, grassland Résumé Le grand rhinocéros unicorne se porte bien dans le Parc National d’Orang dans l’Assam, malgré les menaces de braconnage, considéré comme l’une des principales menaces qui pèsent sur le rhinocéros ailleurs. Le PN d’Orang a environ 64 rhinocéros sur une superficie d’environ 78,80 km2. L’évaluation de l’habitat est importante pour appuyer la conservation des rhinocéros, surtout compte tenu des menaces posées par la propagation croissante de mimosa, une mauvaise herbe qui retarde la croissance des graminées et détruit l’habitat des herbages préférés par les rhinocéros.
    [Show full text]
  • RHINO Husbandry Manual
    RHINO Husbandry Manual Lara Metrione and Adam Eyres Editors INTERNATIONAL RHINO FOUNDATION Association of Zoos and Aquariums Rhino Advisory Group u Metrione, L. and Eyres, A. (Eds.) 2014. Rhino Husbandry Manual. Fort Worth, TX: International Rhino Foundation, 327 pages. International Rhino Foundation 201 Main Street, Suite 2600 Fort Worth, Texas 76102 USA CONTRIBUTORS Lara C. Metrione • South-East Zoo Alliance for Reproduction and Conservation, International Rhino Keeper Association Editor, Behavior, Nutrition Adam Eyres • Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, International Rhino Keeper Association Editor, Taxonomy and Conservation Status (White, Black, GOH), Management (White, Black, GOH), Transportation (White, Black, GOH), Research Steve Shurter • White Oak Conservation Holdings, LLC Preface, Crisis for Rhinos, Research Susie Ellis • International Rhino Foundation, International Rhino Keeper Association Crisis for Rhinos Terri L. Roth • Center for Conservation and Research in Endangered Wildlife (CREW), Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Taxonomy and Conservation Status (Sumatran), Management (Sumatran), Reproduction, Transportation (Sumatran), Enclosure Design (Sumatran), Research Wendy Shaffstall • Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, International Rhino Keeper Association Enrichment Adam Felts • Columbus Zoo, International Rhino Keeper Association Enrichment Jill Piltz • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Training Michael Lebanik • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Training Michelle Skurski • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Training Dan Beetem • the Wilds Transportation, Enclosure Design Michele Miller • Stellenbosch University, DST/NRF Centre of Excellence for Biomedical Tuberculosis Research, MRC Centre for Molecular and Cellular Biology, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics Health, Research RHINO HUSBANDRY MANUAL 2 Robin Radcliffe • Cornell Conservation Medicine Program, Cornell University, College of Veterinary Medicine Health Barbara Henry • Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens Nutrition (Sumatran) Ellen Dierenfeld • Ellen S.
    [Show full text]
  • Status and Monitoring of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in Dudhwa National Park PDF 8.49 MB
    STATUS AND MONITORING OF THE GREATER ONE-HORNED RHINOCEROS IN DUDHWA NATIONAL PARK Citation: Sharma, R. and Gupta, M. 2015. Status and Monitoring of the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros in Dudhwa National Park. WWF-India, New Delhi Published by WWF-India Copyright © 2015 All rights reserved Any reproduction in full or part of this publication must mention the title and credit the mentioned publisher as the copyright owner. WWF-India 172-B, Lodi Estate, New Delhi 110 003 Tel: +91 11 4150 4814 www.wwfindia.org Design by Chhavi Jain / WWF-India Cover Image: © Ruchir Sharma / WWF-India © IRSHAD ALI, MAHAVAT / DUDHWA TIGER RESERVE A male tigerstalksrhinoceros Rajshree andher onemonthold calf FOREWORD Dr. Rupak De The population of the Greater One-Horned rhinoceros is under Ravi Singh Although rhino populations are shrinking worldwide, the severe threat in India. An animal that once roamed nearly all Indian or greater one-horned rhino populations in India Secretary General IFS across north and east India is now confined to a few forest have recovered as a result of on-ground conservation actions. & Chief Executive Principal Chief pockets in Assam and West Bengal, and as a reintroduced Rhinos are found in four Indian states with the largest Officer Conservator of population in Uttar Pradesh. A part of the Terai in Uttar Pradesh population in Assam, followed by West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh World Wide Fund Forests (Wildlife) is fortunate enough to have recovered a population once lost to and a small population in Bihar. The population in Dudhwa for Nature - India & Chief Wildlife hunting and deforestation.
    [Show full text]