Kaziranga National park: The Population of one-horned Rhinos in Assam increases by 200

Assam, March 29: The population of one-horned rhinos in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) has increased by 200 in the past four years, results of the latest census released on Tuesday revealed, highlighting the success in combating poaching of the mammals whose horns are used in Chinese medicine.

As per the census conducted between March 25 and March 28, the count at KNPTR, which is the world’s largest habitat for the endangered one-horned rhinos, stood at 2,613. In the last census, carried out in 2018, the national park recorded a rhino population of 2,413

The recently concluded 14th Rhino Population Estimation/ Census in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve found out that 2,613 Rhinos are currently at the park. The actual counting took place from March 26-27, 2022.

It may be mentioned, drone technology was used for the first time sample recheck. The computation of the data was carried out on March 28 by a committee notified by the PCCF & HoFF, Assam.

At present, KNPTR has a population density of one rhino per 0.2 square kilometre area.

Due to the increase in conservation efforts in KNPTR in past few years, cases of poaching of the endangered animal have reduced considerably. In 2021, the park witnessed just one death due to poaching — the lowest casualty number in 21 years. In January this year, one rhino was killed by poachers in the park.