(IN): Pair of rhinos translocated from Pobitora strays into human habitat

June 19, 2008

Manas to fence in 'homesick' duo

- Pair of rhinos translocated from Pobitora strays into human habitat

A STAFF REPORTER

Guwahati, June 17: After years of struggling to keep poachers away from

Manas National Park, the authorities are now faced with the problem of

keeping two " adopted " rhinos within the park's limits.

The national park authorities will erect an electric fence along a 10-km

stretch on the southern boundary to keep the two translocated rhinos from

straying.

The duo were brought from Pobitora wildlife sanctuary a few months ago as

part of the Vision 2020 plan to increase the rhino population in the state.

" The rhinos have become a headache as they are regularly straying into paddy

fields and coming into conflict with human beings, " said field director A.

Sargayari.

The two rhinos recently injured three farmers working in a paddy field.

At present, the park has six rhinos, four of them kept in a special

enclosure. However, the two rhinostranslocated from Pobitora are allowed to

roam freely.

Sargayari said the rhinos frequently try to move towards the villages

located on the southern boundary of the park. " They are probably homesick, "

he added.

Justifying the decision to erect the electric fence, Sargayari said " once

the two rhinos get a few electric shocks, they would avoid these areas and

that would solve our problem. "

Forest guards are constantly guarding the boundaries of the park to stop the

rhinos from straying into human habitat.

" We are facing many problems since these areas are inaccessible because of

the lack of proper roads. Guards on bicycles are constantly patrolling these

areas now, " he said. Poachers, too, would be tempted once the rhinos move

out of the park's precincts, he pointed out.

[image:

--

United against elephant polo

Recommended Posts