How does Assam use elephants for rhino conservation?

Assam deploys trained kumki elephants to guide one-horned rhinos back into sanctuaries when they stray into human habitations.

What challenges does Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary face?

The sanctuary experiences frequent intrusions of rhinos into surrounding villages, leading to crop damage and potential human-animal conflict.

Why are elephants effective in managing rhinos?

Elephants' intelligence and social behavior allow them to safely manage and redirect aggressive, territorial rhinos back to their protected habitats.

Home / Environment / Elephants Aid Rhinos in Assam's Man-Animal Tussle

Elephants Aid Rhinos in Assam's Man-Animal Tussle

26 Nov

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Summary

Assam uses rescued elephants to guide rhinos back to sanctuaries.
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary faces frequent rhino intrusions into villages.
Trained kumki elephants are crucial for managing aggressive rhinos.

Elephants Aid Rhinos in Assam's Man-Animal Tussle

Assam's forest department has developed an innovative approach to wildlife conservation, utilizing rescued wild elephants to manage the growing man-animal conflict. This strategy offers potential lessons for regions like Kerala, which face similar environmental and climate conditions. The Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, renowned for its high density of one-horned rhinoceroses, actively deploys a force of trained kumki elephants.

These elephants play a vital role in guiding rhinoceroses back into the sanctuary when they stray into nearby villages, a frequent occurrence that can lead to crop destruction and pose risks to human safety. The intelligence and social nature of elephants make them uniquely suited for this task, especially when dealing with the often-aggressive and territorial rhinos.

This successful method, implemented with support from both the central and state governments, has contributed to a steady increase in the rhino population within Pobitora, which was established in 1987. The sanctuary continues to be a thriving habitat for diverse species, highlighting the effectiveness of these integrated conservation efforts.