Manas Rhino Numbers Rebound to 48, But Border Crossings Raise New Concerns
Manas Tiger Reserve's one-horned rhino population has grown from zero to 48 in 20 years through translocation, but cross-border movement raises new concerns.
A translocation programme has brought the one-horned rhino back to Manas Tiger Reserve, with the population rising from zero to 48 over two decades. The milestone was highlighted on World Rhino Day, which this year focused on joint conservation efforts between India and Bhutan.
The recovery in Manas is a significant turnaround for a reserve that had lost its entire rhino population. The translocation initiative, carried out over 20 years, has re-established the herbivore in the landscape.
However, the growing numbers have brought a new challenge: increasing movement of rhinos across the international border between India and Bhutan. This cross-border migration has raised concerns that require coordinated management between the two countries.
The situation underscores the need for continued bilateral cooperation in wildlife conservation, particularly for species whose ranges span national boundaries. World Rhino Day observations this year drew attention to these joint efforts and the evolving challenges of protecting the one-horned rhino in the transboundary Manas landscape.