Summary:
GUWAHATI: Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary , 50 km from here, has an estimated 102 rhinos, according to the latest population count that concluded on Sunday. Out of the 38.81 sq km, only 16 sq km is actually a rhino habitat.There is also an increasing biotic pressure to the rhino population, primarily from cattle grazing. In the last census carried out in 2012, the 38.81 sq km sanctuary had 93 rhinos.Guwahati wildlife divisional forest officer Pradipta Baruah said out of the 102 rhinos, 28 were adult males and 43 were adult females. Several rhinos have already been shifted from Pobitora to Manas National Park under the forest department's Indian Rhino Vision 2020 project since 2008. Most of the rhino population density is concentrated in a small area..