scholarly journals Rescue and rehabilitation of two stray greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Orang National Park, Assam

2021 ◽  
Vol 60 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Ahmed ◽  
S. Sarma ◽  
N. Ahmed
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis

scholarly journals Nutrient Analysis of Grass Species Consumed by Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros Unicornis) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 402-408 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Thakur ◽  
C.R. Upreti ◽  
K. Jha
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Mean Value ◽  
Grass Species ◽  
Systematic Sampling ◽  
Slight Variation ◽  
Sample Collection ◽  
Nutrient Analysis ◽  
Mean Values ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Chitwan National Park

The Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is found almost exclusively in Nepal and North-Eastern India. There have beenonly a few studies made on the food and the nutrient compositions of fodder species preferred by The Greater One- horned Rhinoceros. Thepresent study identifies the nutrient content of the fodder species consumed by One-horned rhinoceros which would be helpful to develop proper strategies for rhinoceros food management. For this altogether 8 grass species which were most preferred by rhinoceros were collected from Chitwan National Park. Systematic sampling was applied for sample collection and collected samples were taken to the Animal Nutrition Laboratory, Khumaltar for nutrient analysis. Among all the collected species the highest OM% was seen in Faank (93.98 ± 0.88) while Ash% and CP% was found to be highest in Eragrastic Tenella (13.67 ± 2.92) and Phragmatic karka (11.94 ± 2.26) respectively. Lowest NDF% was again seen in Eragrastic tenella (76.76 ± 2.93) and lowest ADF% and ADL% were found in Mala dubo with mean values (43.50 ± 6.86) and (6.41 ± 2.16) respectively showing high digestibility of these grasses. There were only slight variation in the EE% of the grass species withhighest mean value of (3.702 ± 1.73) of Imperata cylindrical to lowest mean value of (1.722 ± 0.11) of Eragrastic tenella. Highest energy was found in Faank (4181.90 ±1.10) and Calcium content was seen highest in Cynodon dactylon (1.30 ± 0.83).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v2i4.11119 Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol. 2(4): 402-408 

Sharing schistosomes: the elephant schistosome Bivitellobilharzia nairi also infects the greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Chitwan National Park, Nepal

2012 ◽  
Vol 88 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Devkota ◽  
S.V. Brant ◽  
A. Thapa ◽  
E.S. Loker
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Digenetic Trematode ◽  
Sri Lankan ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
Distinct Genus ◽  
Freshwater Habitats ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Host Infection ◽  
First Time

AbstractBecause the digenetic trematode fauna of Nepal is poorly known, we began to search for schistosomes in and around Chitwan National Park (CNP) of southern Nepal. Both domestic and wild Indian elephants (Elephus maximus) are present, and we found one of two dung samples from wild elephants and 1 of 22 (4.5%) dung samples from domestic elephants to be positive for schistosome eggs. The morphology of the eggs and both cox1 and 28S sequences derived from the eggs/miracidia were consistent with Bivitellobilharzia nairi, reported here for the first time from Nepal. Also, 7 of 14 faecal samples from the Asian or greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) contained viable eggs indistinguishable from those of B. nairi. This identification was confirmed by comparison with both cox1 and 28S sequences from B. nairi eggs/miracidia derived from Nepalese and Sri Lankan elephants. This represents the first sequence-verified identification of a schistosome from any species of rhinoceros, and the first verified occurrence of a representative of Bivitellobilharzia (a genus of ‘elephant schistosomes’) in mammals other than elephants. Our work suggests that elephants and rhinos share B. nairi in CNP, even though these two members of the ‘charismatic megafauna’ belong to unrelated mammalian families. Their shared life style of extensive contact with freshwater habitats likely plays a role, although the snail intermediate host and mode of definitive host infection for B. nairi have yet to be documented. This report also supports Bivitellobilharzia as a monophyletic group and its status as a distinct genus within Schistosomatidae.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Habitat Suitability for Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Orang National Park Using Geo-Spatial Tools

ISRN Ecology ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 2011 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pranjit Kumar Sarma ◽  
B. S. Mipun ◽  
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar ◽  
Rajeev Kumar ◽  
Ajit Kumar Basumatary
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Suitability ◽  
National Park ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Suitable Habitat ◽  
Habitat Suitability Model ◽  
Swamp Forest ◽  
Secondary Sources ◽  
North East India ◽  
North East ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis

Orang National Park (Orang NP) is one of the important conservation areas in the Brahmaputra valley within North East India biogeographic zone covering an area of 78.8 km2. It is one of the prime habitats of one horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in its distribution range in south Asia. Satellite imagery of November 2008 was used to evaluate the rhino habitat pattern in the park. A habitat suitability model for one horned rhino was prepared using primary and secondary sources. Result indicates that out of total geographical area of the park 25.85% is covered by woodland. About 26.06% is covered by wet alluvial grassland and 17.97% is covered by dry savannah grassland. Similarly degraded grassland is covering 15.23% and eastern seasonal swamp forest is covering 1.72% of the park. About 8.22% of the park is covered by water body and 6.83% is covered by sandy area. The habitat suitability model for rhino shows that 25.13% of the park is most suitable habitat for rhino, 13.62% is moderately suitable and 61.23% is less suitable habitat for rhino in the park. This information will help the park managers to conserve rhino and its habitat in Orang NP.

scholarly journals Noninvasive genetic census of greater one-horned rhinocerosRhinoceros unicornisin Gorumara National Park, India: a pilot study for population estimation

Oryx ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 50 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-494 ◽  
Author(s):  
Udayan Borthakur ◽  
Pranjal Kumar Das ◽  
Anjan Talukdar ◽  
Bibhab Kumar Talukdar
Keyword(s):  
Sex Ratio ◽  
National Park ◽  
West Bengal ◽  
Legal Protection ◽  
Population Estimation ◽  
Female Sex ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Genetic Techniques ◽  
Male To Female

AbstractThe greater one-horned rhinocerosRhinoceros unicornisis a flagship species for conservation in protected areas in India and Nepal. In India the species is afforded the highest level of legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. Although censuses of greater one-horned rhinoceros have been carried out for decades using the traditional total count method, no advanced scientific approach has been adopted for population estimation of the species in India or elsewhere. We optimized noninvasive genetic techniques for identification of greater one-horned rhinoceros from dung samples, and applied these to estimate the number of rhinoceros in Gorumara National Park, in West Bengal, India. Our results confirmed the presence of 43 individuals from 60 dung samples collected throughout the Park in 2011. We confirmed a male-to-female sex ratio of 3.8 : 1, based on analysis of DNA from dung samples, using a y-chromosome linked marker. Our results are in concordance with a census carried out by the West Bengal Forest Department that found 42 rhinoceros in the Park, with a male-to-female sex ratio of 3.5 : 1. Our study thus demonstrates the feasibility of using a noninvasive genetic approach for population estimation of greater one-horned rhinoceros in the wild.

scholarly journals Population status, structure and distribution of the greater one-horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis in Nepal

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naresh Subedi ◽  
Shant Raj Jnawali ◽  
Maheshwar Dhakal ◽  
Narendra M.B. Pradhan ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Null Model ◽  
Closed Population ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Detection Probabilities ◽  
Potential Habitats ◽  
Chitwan National Park ◽  
Wildlife Reserve ◽  
Abundance And Distribution

AbstractWe assessed the abundance and distribution of the greater one-horned or Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis in all its potential habitats in Nepal, using block counts. In April 2011 5,497 km were searched in 3,548 elephant-hours over 23 days. The validity of the block count was assessed by comparing it with counts obtained from long-term monitoring using photographic identification of individual rhinoceroses (ID-based), and estimates obtained by closed population sighting–mark–resighting in the 214 km2 of Chitwan National Park. A total of 534 rhinoceroses were found during the census, with 503 in Chitwan National Park (density 1 km−2), 24 in Bardia National Park (0.28 km−2) and seven in Suklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (0.1 km−2). In Chitwan 66% were adults, 12% subadults and 22% calves, with a female : male ratio of 1.24. The population estimate from sighting–mark–resighting was 72 (95% CI 71–78). The model with different detection probabilities for males and females had better support than the null model. In the Sauraha area of Chitwan estimates of the population obtained by block count (77) and ID-based monitoring (72) were within the 95% confidence interval of the estimate from sighting–mark–resighting. We recommend a country-wide block count for rhinoceroses every 3 years and annual ID-based monitoring in a sighting–mark–resighting framework within selected subpopulations. The sighting–mark–resighting technique provides the statistical rigour required for population estimates of the rhinoceros in Nepal and elsewhere.

scholarly journals Seasonal variations in food plant preferences of reintroduced Rhinos Rhinoceros unicornis (Mammalia: Perrissodactyla: Rhinocerotidae) in Manas National Park, Assam, India

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (13) ◽  
pp. 9525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deba Kumar Dutta ◽  
Pranab Jyoti Bora ◽  
Rita Mahanta ◽  
Amit Sharma ◽  
Anindya Swargowari
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Cynodon Dactylon ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
Food Preferences ◽  
Grassland Management ◽  
Imperata Cylindrica ◽  
Ageratum Conyzoides ◽  
Anthropogenic Pressures ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Management Protocol

The food preferences of translocated Rhinos in Manas National Park were studied to find out variations in seasonal and annual preferences.  A total of 139 plants species belonging to 39 families were observed to be consumed as food.  On an average, grasses (n=33) contributed 24% of Rhino food, aquatic plants (n=23) 16.5%, shrubs (n=11) 7.5%, herbs (n = 31) 22.3% trees (n=26) 18.7%, creepers (n=3) 2.1% and agricultural crops (n=12) 8.6%.  Among the grasses, throughout the year Arundo donax, Cynodon dactylon, Imperata cylindrica, Saccharum elephantinus and Saccharum spontaneum were the maximum preferred species.  Rhinos were observed to browse shrubs and tree twigs during the winter season and browsing was found to be very limited during the monsoon due to the abundance of young grass.  Various anthropogenic pressures such as unregulated grassland burning, cattle grazing, invasions of Bombax ceiba and shrubs like Chromolaena odorata, Leea asiatica and herbs like Ageratum conyzoides have degraded some of the important grasslands.  So, a proper grassland management protocol including the burning of grasslands during the dry season, keeping grazing animals away and control of weeds is suggested in the areas extensively used by the Rhinos. 

Mitochondrial D-loop Genetic Diversity Studies of Rhinoceros unicornis in Assam, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Puranjit Das ◽  
Rita Choudhury
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Mitochondrial Dna Control Region ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Total Genetic Diversity ◽  
D Loop ◽  
High Level ◽  
Diversity Studies

In Assam wild populations of great Indian rhinoceros are found in three protected areas namely Kaziranga National Park, Orange National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary. But it remains an area of investigation whether these three populations are homogeneous or not. To resolve this matter present genetic study was performed on mitochondrial DNA control region by using non invasive dung samples collected from the three natural habitats. The study showed a high level of genetic diversity of rhinoceros population in three habitats of Assam with 24 haplotypes from 196 samples and 21 variable sites in 413bp long nucleotide sequences was recorded. The Fst value also showed differences between the groups; and significant values obtained between Kaziranga and Pobitora with Orang groups. AMOVA analyses revealed the total genetic diversity is 91.62% and diversity between populations is only 8.38%. Thus the higher genetic variability found in Indian rhinoceros populations is important for future survivability, management and translocation to new habitat.

scholarly journals Invasive mikania in Chitwan National Park, Nepal: the threat to the greater one-horned rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis and factors driving the invasion

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 47 (3) ◽  
pp. 361-368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sean T. Murphy ◽  
Naresh Subedi ◽  
Shant Raj Jnawali ◽  
Babu Ram Lamichhane ◽  
Gopal Prasad Upadhyay ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Management Plan ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Anthropogenic Factors ◽  
Tall Grass ◽  
Native Flora ◽  
Rhinoceros Unicornis ◽  
Chitwan National Park

AbstractAs part of a census of the Indian rhinoceros Rhinoceros unicornis a survey was conducted to measure the extent of invasion by the neotropical plant mikania Mikania micrantha across major habitats of Chitwan National Park important for the conservation of the rhinoceros. Previous work has demonstrated that this fire-adapted plant can smother and kill native flora such as grasses and sapling trees, several of which are important fodder plants of the rhinoceros. Here, additional studies were conducted on the risks of anthropogenic factors (natural resource collection and grassland burning) contributing to the spread and growth of the plant. Mikania is currently found across 44% of habitats sampled and almost 15% of these have a high infestation (> 50% coverage). Highest densities were recorded from riverine forest, tall grass and wetland habitats and this is where the highest numbers of rhinoceroses were recorded in the habitats surveyed during the census. Local community dependence on natural resources in the core area of the Park is high. The range and volume of resources (e.g. fodder) collected and the distances travelled all pose a high risk of the spread of mikania. Of greater significance is the annual burning of the grasslands in the Park by local communities, estimated at 25–50% of the total area. It is imperative, therefore, that core elements of a management plan for mikania incorporate actions to control burning, reduce spread and raise awareness about best practice for local resource management by local communities.

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