Rescued orphan rhino calf becomes 11 month old in Manas NP

 Purabi and Doimalo on pleasure nap after having morning feed

Hainari, the adult female rhino (Rhino No-17) was translocated to Manas National Park (MNP) from Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in March, 2012 under the Indian Rhino Vision-2020 (IRV 2020). IRV 2020 is an ambitious programme of the Govt. of Assam and is supported by WWF-India, International Rhino Foundation (IRF), US Fish and Wild Life Service (USFWS) along with Bodo Land Territorial Council (BTC) and supported by number of local organizations.

Hainari adapted well to her new home and after 1year 19 days, she gave birth to a male calf in Sidhajahr area of Bansbari range of Manas NP. The area is 40 km west of Bansbari. The area has mixed deciduous vegetation. Several river-channels zigzag the area and during monsoon it is usually prone to flood. Such conditions often make patrolling and monitoring of mother with her new born calf very difficult. However, monitoring teams temporarily based at Siadhajhar go through daily efforts to patrol and monitor them. In spite of such dedication of the monitoring as well as patrolling team, Hainari was poached on 2^nd April, 2013 by some heartless people leaving the little one alone. The new born, who was hardly 20 days old was scared by brutal killing of his mother and hid him in the nearby bushes after the poaching incident.

 On 4th April, 2013 a massive rescue operation was arranged in entire Sidhajhar area with support of 30 frontline staffs, 20 local villagers, veterinarians and 6 patrolling elephants. Operation was headed by Mr. Dharanidhar Boro, Assistant Conservator of Forest, Manas Tiger Reserve and Mr. Deba Kumar Dutta of WWF. After two hours of rigorous search operation, Mr. Gopal Gaur, a well-experienced mahout was finally able to capture the calf with the support of other staffs. Thereafter, the calf was transported to Elephant Training Centre, Bansbari and kept there for 22 days with proper veterinary care. Finally, the calf was transferred to temporary enclosure near to Rhino Camp of the same range. The special temporary enclosure was constructed under IRV-2020 program. The enclosure encompasses 120sq ft area surrounded by 3 layers of fencing- wood, barbed wire and electric fence.

Since his rescue, the rhino calf was under one of the experienced animal keeper Mr. Rohan Doimary of Wildlife Trust India with support of staff of Rhino camp. WWF members are regularly monitoring the rhino calf and his behavior. Calf is now being fed six times a day with three liters of milk. On 28th June, another one year old rescued female calf (named Purabi by Director, Kaziranga National Park) was brought to Manas NP and kept in the same enclosure. Since then, the two little calves are enjoying each others’ company. Field Director of Manas Tiger Reserve named the orphaned male calf as Doimalo. We hope for a great future of both these calves and all the 27 rhinos in the enchanting natural landscape of Manas NP.