Because of You, Brand New Babies Thrive in a New Indian Rhino Population
Two weeks ago, we celebrated the birth of the 13th Indian rhino calf in Manas National Park. The newborn rhino is the second calf born to one of the females moved to the park from Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in 2011. Another calf was born in September. We are laser-focused on keeping these little ones safe from poaching, which remains a constant threat.
Nearly 10 years ago, the International Rhino Foundation and partners made a commitment to help the Indian rhino population spread to new protected areas. In 2008, after years of preparation and under Indian Rhino Vision 2020, we began moving rhinos into Manas National Park, an area where rhinos had been wiped out by civil conflict in the early 2000s. Our bold Indian Rhino Vision 2020 program is what led to this new birth.
Just 100 years ago, the greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros faced certain extinction. Down to less than 200 animals, the species survived massive hunting campaigns and habitat loss in the Himalayan foothills. Fortunately, Indian rhinos rebounded because dedicated wildlife conservationists and government agencies made a commitment to bringing them back from the brink.
India’s state of Assam holds the key to the Indian rhino’s future. Of a world population numbering about 3,500 animals, nearly three-quarters are found in Assam. Because of your support, we are implementing Phase 2 of Indian Rhino Vision 2020. The next round of translocations to the Laokhaowa-Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries will begin early next year. We are hopeful that after about 16 months (that’s how long a rhino pregnancy lasts!), we’ll have some new little rhinos on the ground there as well.
Our teams in India are helping to make sure Indian rhinos thrive. You can help ensure that this work continues by supporting the IRF today.
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Every gift helps us to do more.
