Great One-Horned Rhinocerous (Rhinocerous unicornis)

[Rishi]

(05-16-2017, 08:25 PM)Shardul Wrote: Hi @$uSpiciou$ 

I have always wondered how Corbett is able to support 200+ tigers when it is about the same size as kanha and the only large prey there is Sambar? Could you shed some light on that? Also, why don't they try to introduce large bovines like buffalo and gaur, or even rhino? The dhikala grasslands should be able to support a large number of them.

(05-17-2017, 12:30 PM)SuSpicious Wrote: Could you shed some light on that? Also, why don't they try to introduce large bovines like buffalo and gaur, or even rhino? The dhikala grasslands should be able to support a large number of them. - Rishi is right on the money again with this.  translocating tigers from Corbett to Rajaji ( both parks are in Uttrakhand State) is proving to be such a daunting task and has face so much criticism. Here to introduce fauna that hasn't been there for a long time is simply another thing. Yes the grassland can support everything but the laws are too strict plus the Forest department in no way take such a huge risk when already Corbett is struglling with a huge problem of forest cover loss and poaching.

Uttarakhand plans to reintroduce rhinos at Corbett
According to wildlife experts, sighting of a male rhino near Kotdwara in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand in 1789 was last confirmed evidence that rhinoceros have existed in the Himalayan state in the past.
Nov 27, 2019 

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The Uttarakhand wildlife advisory board on Tuesday approved a proposal for the reintroduction of rhinoceros on an experimental basis in Corbett Tiger Reserve, emphasising that the geographical terrain and environmental conditions were suitable for the species, said Rajiv Bhartari, chief wildlife warden Uttarakhand.
The proposal was approved in the 14th meeting of the state wildlife board held in Dehradun under the chairmanship of chief minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, said Bhartari.

According to wildlife experts, sighting of a male rhino near Kotdwara in Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand in 1789 confirms that rhinoceros have existed in the Himalayan state in the past.
Introduction of rhinoceros in Corbett will also boost wildlife tourism in the state.

Scientist at Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun, Qamar Qureshi, had recommended the reintroduction of rhinos in Corbett Tiger Reserve in 2007. He said that they had studied Uttarakhand’s protected forest areas where the rhinos could be introduced.
He further said that they found out that 3 areas were primarily suitable for the reintroduction of rhinos. The first one being Corbett and the next being Surai Range of Terai East Forest Division on the southeastern end of Uttarakhand and the last, Paterpani on the south of Dhikala grassland. With good floral diversity and more protected forest cover, Corbett is best suited as a place for the reintroduction of the species.

Qureshi said there have been two major reintroductions of rhinoceros species till now in the country. “1st was into Dudhwa National Park of Uttar Pradesh in 1984, which has been very successful. The rhinoceros were brought there from Nepal’s Chitwan and Assam’s Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. 2nd was reintroduction of rhinoceros in Manas National Park of Assam where their population had come to end due to insurgent activities,” he said.

Referring to this development, the Uttarakhand Chief Wildlife Warden stated that the one-horned species will either be brought from West Bengal or Assam as the maximum population of this species are there. However, before doing that, a proposal will also be sent to the Union Environment Ministry regarding the translocation.

Sources:
https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/...N_amp.html
https://www.financialexpress.com/lifesty...6701/lite/
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/trav...258055.cms Reply