Assessment of habitat utilization pattern of rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) in Orang National Park, Assam, India

Abstract

The greater one-horned rhino is performing well in Orang National Park (NP), Assam, despite threats from poaching, which is regarded as one of the major threats to rhinos elsewhere. Orang NP has about 64 rhinos in an area of about 78.80 km 2. Habitat assessment is important to support rhino conservation, especially considering the threats posed by the increasing spread of mimosa, a weed that retards the growth of grasses and destroys the grassland habitat that rhinos prefer. This paper deals with habitat utilization by rhinos in Orang NP, which shows the importance of wet grasslands that are dependent on hydrology and flooding dynamics.