Assam has lost as many as 1,008 one-horned rhinos since 2002 till December 14, 2012.

Union Minister for Environment and Forests Jayanti Natrajan on Tuesday informed the Parliament that the rhinoceroses were either killed by poachers or died of natural causes. The incidents of poaching took place inspite of the fact that New Delhi provides a huge financial assistance to the Assam Government for the preservation and protection of the one-horned rhinos.

Kaziranga: Rhino calves separated from parents during annual floods in the Kaziranga National Park and young rhinos left orphaned by poachers are finding a new home at the Manas National Park, the other world heritage sanctuary in Assam.

Doing this job is the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation which has completed a decade of its existence in the state. Director of Kaziranga National Park, N K Vasu, told PTI, “The rehabilitated rhinos are released back to the wild in the Manas National Park in an effort to refurbish the rhino population there after it suffered a near wipe-out a decade ago due to insurgency.”

Guwahati: Forest officials in most rhino habitats in Assam have been working through the night to save wildlife severely affected after flood waters submerged vast areas of sanctuaries.

The flood season is crucial for the animals in protected areas as poachers take advantage of the situation to hunt, particularly the one-horned rhino for its high value in various Southeast Asian markets.

Pertinent development project proposals came up for discussion at the crucial sixth meeting of the State Board for Wildlife, Assam (SBWL) held in Guwahati.

In this meeting, the Board was apprised of all the initiatives taken by the Assam Government for improving wildlife protection in the State. The Board appreciated the move to establish Tiger Conservation Foundations for Kaziranga, Manas and Nameri Tiger Reserves, the Wildlife (Protection) Assam Amendment Act, 2009 and giving power to forest personnel to use firearms without prior government sanction and immunity from prosecution.

GUWAHATI: Assam has reason to cheer. A census of one-horned rhinos at the renowned Kaziranga National Park (KNP) recorded an increase of 242 animals over a three-year period. This was disclosed by State Forest and Environment Minister Rockybul Hussain today.

The last census in 2009 recorded 2,048 rhinos in KNP, of which eight were translocated to Manas National Park. The two-day-long census, which ended on Sunday evening, recorded the presence of 2,290 one-horned rhinos in the Park.

GUWAHATI: A census of one-horned rhinos at the renowned Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in Assam recorded an increase of almost 250 animals over a three-year period.

Guwahati: Assam has recorded a remarkable growth in its elephant population, according to the recently concluded elephant census in the state.

The elephant census this year recorded a total of 5,620 elephants in Assam compared to 5,246 elephants in the 2009 census year, state Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain said and added that an increase of 374 in the jumbo population was a good indication. The forest minister also released a report regarding the elephant census.

Guwahati, March 20: The Pobitora forest authorities will request the state government to conduct research to help them know how many rhinos Pobitora wildlife sanctuary can accommodate without overc

Guwahati, March 11: Assam forest authorities are optimistic that they will be able to have a rhino population of 3,000 in the state by 2020.