Rhino census 2026: Total population jumps to 53 in UP's Dudhwa National Park

Lakhimpur Kheri, Jul 9 (PTI) The latest rhino census in Dudhwa National Park has revealed an increase of five rhinos, taking the total to 53, officials said on Thursday. They said the current population comprised 17 males, 25 females and 11 sub-adults and calves. They added that the 'total head count method' is adopted for the counting of rhinos for the annual exercise. According to Jagdish R, deputy director of DTR, the 2025 census had recorded 51 rhinos. However, three rhinos, Himanshu, Rajeshwari, and a male calf, died before the new count began, bringing the starting number down to 48. "The increase of five rhinos is highly encouraging," the deputy director said. He added that the rhino rehabilitation programme in Dudhwa is a major conservation milestone. Rhinos were reintroduced here after being extinct in the region for over a century. The project began in 1984 with just seven rhinos brought from Assam and Nepal, and with the coming years, their population registered a sustained growth, the officials said. To manage the growing population in rhino rehabilitation area 1 (RRA-1), a second area (RRA-2) was created in the Belrayan range in 2018 with four rhinos. Additionally, eight genetically diverse rhinos were recently released into the open forest with radio collars, and they have adapted to their new environment. PTI COR KIS APL APL