(IN):Expert opinion sought for rhino relocation

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link: http://www.telegraphindia.com/1080104/jsp/northeast/story_8739800.jsp

 

*Expert opinion sought for rhino relocation*

- Four rhinos to be shifted next month from Pobitora to Manas to boost

population A STAFF REPORTER

 

Guwahati, Jan. 3: The biggest rhino relocation project undertaken by the

Assam government is bringing experts around the world together.

 

Under the project, four rhinos will be shifted from Pobitora Wildlife

Sanctuary to Manas National Park.

 

The relocation strategy envisages increasing the population of the

endangered one-horned rhino in Assam from 2,000 to 3,000 in the next 12

years.

 

Chief conservator of forest M.C. Malakar said experts in tranquillising the

animals would be brought from Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal to

tranquillise the rhinos during the relocation process.

 

" We are also seeking advice from experts around the world to make the

project a success, " he said.

 

The first stage will start on February 11 when four sub-adult rhinos,

including two males, will be relocated.

 

Relocation of rhinos is considered one of the most difficult tasks by animal

experts. " We are not taking any chances. This will be the biggest ever

exercise, involving experts and the police force, " Malakar said.

 

A meeting held here last week was attended by wildlife experts from the

Dehradun-based Wildlife Institute of India.

 

" We will take the help of Nepal as they have been carrying out such drives

for the last few decades, " Malakar said. The national park in Nepal has the

second largest rhino population in the world. Since1986, nearly 87 rhinos

from the park have been relocated to different wildlife sanctuaries in

Nepal.

 

" The rhinos selected for the operation have to be totally fit, otherwise

they will collapse at the time of tranquillising, " he said.

 

" Within that time, the animals have to be shifted to specially-designed

crates and loaded on trucks. Four crates are under construction at the state

zoo at present. "

 

As it is a complicated operation where the life of the animals is at risk,

the opinion of experts across the globe has been sought before carrying out

the exercise dubbed as the biggest ever in this part of the world.

 

Three rhinos from Kaziranga were earlier relocated to Manas but not on a

single trip. " Artificial roads have to constructed and cranes have to be

used to shift the unconscious rhinos to the cage and then to the trucks, "

Malakar said. A major portion of the expenses would be borne by the World

Wildlife Fund and the International Rhino Foundation.

 

 

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