Three female rhinos would soon have a new home within thr Dudhwa National Park in Uttar Pradesh as the number of the endangered animals has gone up in the range where they are at present located.
The DNP administration will shift the rhinos from Dudhwa Rhino Rehabilitation Area (RRA) to the newly developed additional RRA at Bhadi Tal in Belrayan range.
Confirming the relocation programme, Deputy Director P P Singh told PTI, "If things go normally, the three female rhinos from Dudhwa would be shifted to the new RRA at Bhadi Tal by mid February".
"Tranqilizing material to be procured from Nandan Kanan has been ordered for the purpose," Singh said, adding that a proposal to bring in more rhinos from Kaziranga Park in Assam is in the final phase.
"Already, a migratory rhino pair has been staying at Bhadi Tal RRA and after shifting of three female rhinos, there would be five rhinos, including a male," he said.
"The new rhino area would not only help accommodate the fresh rhino arrivals but help to boost gene diversity among the Dudhwa rhinos," the Deputy Director said.
Interestingly, the rhino rehabilitation programme in Dudhwa had also been started in 1984 with just five rhinos.
Till 1850, Dudhwa forests enjoyed a rich presence of unicorn rhinos till 1850. However, owing to various factors, the rhinos became extinct from this Terai land.
