Tiger Kills Rhino in Dudhwa National Park

In Dudhwa National Park, a 30-year-old female rhinoceros, identified as Rajeshwari, was killed by a tiger. The attack took place in Amha Tal, a water pond where the rhino was observed wallowing. Wildlife experts consider such incidents rare, as rhinos are formidable prey for tigers due to their size and thick hides. However, this marks a significant event in the park's history, as no tiger attacks on rhinos had been reported in Dudhwa for several years.

Dudhwa National Park is renowned for its conservation efforts, particularly Project Rhino. Launched in 1984, this initiative aimed to re-establish the rhino population in the Terai region, where they had previously become extinct. The project began with five rhinos and has since seen considerable growth, with recent estimates indicating 49 rhinos in the RRA1 area. A second rhino rehabilitation area was established in 2017-18 to accommodate the increasing numbers.

The monitoring teams, including mahouts, witnessed the tiger's attack and managed to drive it away before inspecting the rhino. A post-mortem examination confirmed the tiger attack as the cause of death. While a rhino calf was reportedly killed by a leopard in 2023, the current incident highlights the ongoing challenges in managing predator-prey dynamics within the park.