EAZA Rhino Campaign Project J: Conservation of rhino in India and strategy framework to reduce rhino poaching in range countries

Location: Assam, India
Species: Greater one-horned (Rhinoceros unicornis)
Coordinator: Melanie Shepherd, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation, and Bibhab Talukdar, Aaranyak
Type: Anti-poaching, research, environmental education
Amount awarded: 27,600 euros

Abstract
Assam is home to an estimated 70% of the world’s remaining wild greater one-horned rhino population, which numbers approximately 2,400 animals. In 1998 a new project was launched by Aaranyak and DSWF in Pabitora, Orang and Kaziranga NPs on wildlife crime monitoring and infrastructure enhancement, which focused on the provision of wireless communications, anti-poaching kits and a speedboat to assist anti-poaching operations, especially during the seasonal monsoon flooding when the National Parks are closed to visitors, and the animals more exposed to threats from poachers. The number of rhinos poached per year in Assam has been dramatically reduced to between 7-10.

Yet the illegal trade in wildlife parts – especially that of rhino, elephant, tiger and bear – is still flourishing, putting immense pressure on the remaining greater one-horned rhino populations. Monitoring the poaching trends and international trade is important in order to assess the threats and the requirements for a suitable and effective anti-poaching strategy. The specific objectives to be met by this project are to:

• Monitor each case of rhino poaching to find out the modus operandi and investigate the culprits involved with such crimes
• Prepare revised sets of guidelines for rhino-bearing areas in Assam regarding requirements to prevent the illegal entry and exit of poachers from the rhino-bearing areas
• Maintain updated database of rhino poachers and traders operating in Assam, and other parts of Eastern Himalaya. This will involve the continued undercover monitoring of the two known trade routes for rhino horn smuggled out of Assam – one via Nepal to Hong Kong and one via Myanmar and Thailand
• Offer non-financial assistance to rhino-bearing areas in Assam in terms of equipment and transport to enhance rhino protection
• Offer annual awards to the five notable rhino protectors in Assam, to be selected from the field forest staff of rhino bearing areas. This will increase the morale of the field staff who dedicate their life to rhino protection
• Provide training to forest staff with regards to wildlife crime and legal assistance for them in their fight to combat it
• Provide education initiatives to local people on the importance of the rhino
• Bring out a publication at the end of this project on the “Rhino Conservation beyond 2000”

Support
Funds raised by the EAZA Rhino Campaign will be used to pay: salaries; for the purchase of a patrol vehicle and rental of other vehicles and elephtants as needed; incentives for intelligence; cash awards; for the purchase of 10 wireless handsets and two base stations; four digital cameras; and for general communications needs.