NDTV: Animals relocated to Manas National Park

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Animals relocated to Manas National Park

 

Gayatri Bhattacharjee

 

Tuesday, March 20, 2007 (North Bank):

 

The relocation of rhinos and elephants from the abundant Kaziranga

National Park to the smaller Manas National Park has been a wildlife

success story.

 

In fact, this is the first time that elephants are being relocated

in the country.

 

" It's a long journey for them. The vehicles are moving slowly and

carefully. They are in a very high level of stress, and are not

taking their feed since the morning. But they are being given

electrolyte, and all should be fine once they reach their

destination, " said MVK Ashraf, Dir, Wild Rescue WTI.

 

The elephants are radio-collared and their keepers, from the time of

rescue, will continue to be with them till they can mingle

successfully with the wild herd.

 

" I am very sad today. I have raised these kids from the time they

were one-month old and have been looking after them for the past

seven years. I am very sad, " said Tarun Gogoi, Elephant keeper.

 

In January this year, two rhinos, rescued from floods, were

relocated from Kaziranga to Manas, where the rhino population

dropped to zero in the 1980s.

 

Questions about safety

 

A rhino was shifted to Manas even last year, but the question that

arises is how safe are these animals in Manas given the park's

history?

 

A decade ago, during the peak of an armed movement for autonomy by

the local Bodo tribespeople, the entire rhino population was wiped

out from Manas.

 

But even now, Manas doesn't have enough men to check poaching and

continues to be a world heritage site in danger.

 

" Manas is in a pathetic condition. Around 140 sanctioned posts are

vacant. Why doesn't the government have the commitment to fill up

vacant posts? It's not just a reserve forest, it is a world heritage

site, " said Bhibhab Talukar, Wildlife activist.

 

The dwindling population of rhinos and elephants in Assam are

already a matter of concern.

 

And their successful relocation is no guarantee that their new home

is truly a safe sanctuary.