A large adult rhinoceros from Kaziranga National Park has sparked widespread alarm in Majuli, Assam, after being spotted roaming across several sandbars and ‘Chaporis’ (riverine islands) in the region over the past two days.
The animal was first seen on Wednesday in the Bokora and Kakorikata areas, triggering concern among local residents. In response, forest officials from the Majuli Division swiftly moved to contain the situation and ensure the rhino did not stray into densely populated zones.
Despite best efforts, the rhino continued to elude containment and was seen passing through multiple villages including Auniati Satra, Mahkina, and Balesiddhiya before seeking shelter in the forest behind Doriya village by nightfall. Forest personnel used footprints to track the animal to the Doriya forest area by Thursday morning and kept it under close observation throughout the day.
By evening, officials deployed firecrackers to frighten the rhino away from human settlements, successfully pushing it back toward its earlier position between Kakorikata and Bokora. As of the latest update, the rhino remains in that zone, with villagers warned to stay vigilant and avoid entering the animal’s current habitat.
Ecological Explanation:
According to Forest Range Officer Abhijit Doley, the presence of the rhino is not unusual, given Majuli’s proximity to Kaziranga.
“Majuli Island is very close to Kaziranga National Park. Quite often, rhinos cross over into our support areas. This rhino crossed over from a support area to the mainland,” Doley explained to media.
He noted that the habitat of Majuli is ecologically similar to that of Kaziranga and offers plenty of grassy cover and food sources.
“There’s a lot of grass here. In fact, over the past 4-5 years, we’ve seen rhinos regularly staying in these support areas year-round. It’s quite normal for us,” he said.
Why Are Rhinos Crossing Over?
Experts cite rising animal populations and habitat pressure in Kaziranga as key drivers behind the increasing frequency of such wildlife migrations. Limited food resources and overcrowding are compelling rhinos, elephants, and other species to explore new territories, particularly the riverine Chaporis of Majuli, which offer abundant vegetation and relative seclusion.
Forest Department Measures:
- Morning: Location tracking using footprints
- Evening: Operations with firecrackers to redirect the rhino
- Public alerts issued via loudspeakers before operations
- Continued monitoring of the animal’s movements
Authorities maintain they are taking all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of both villagers and the rhino. Plans are in place to guide the animal back to the Kaziranga support areas when conditions permit.
While such sightings may cause temporary concern, forest officials emphasize that this reflects natural wildlife behavior in response to changing ecological dynamics, not an immediate threat.