Dudhwa officials deny reports of 'missing' rhinos, says 34 present in sanctuary

LUCKNOW: After conducting a two-day long search operation for 'missing' rhinos in Dudhwa National Park, the forest department officers denied that there are any rhinos missing from the park. The Dudhwa National Park has 'rehabilitated' population of rhinos sheltered in the 25 sq km Salukapur area in Sonaripur range of the park. The entire area, where rhino population is present, is fenced. Officers had cordoned the area on a tip off that at least five rhinos have ventured out the fenced area. "The entire area outside rhino fence was searched. No rhino has escaped out of the area," said deputy director, Dudhwa, Ganesh Bhatt. It was on January 1 that the Dudhwa officers were informed about that fence has been broken. It was after that that forest machinery went into an overdrive to search for the 'missing' rhinos.

The search operation was done for two consecutive days.

"We counted all rhinos. At present, there are 34 rhinos present in the park," said Bhatt. It also included two rhino calves.

The officers said that it could be the fight between the rhinos which broke the fence. There are two rhinos present outside the fenced area, one in Bilrayen and the other in Sathiana range of the park. The officials said the duo could have moved over from the Nepal side and adapted to conditions in Dudhwa.

But, these two are not the part of the 'rehabilitated' population. Dudhwa rhinos are subjected to ID-based monitoring. The park authorities have prepared a photographic ID of each rhino. Officials said that every rhino has some specific feature, which distinguishes it from others.

"We match the rhinos with their photographic identity and a check is done twice a day, every morning and evening," added the official.