For the first time advanced genetic tools are being used to take the census of Greater One-horned rhinoceros in the Gorumara National Park of West Bengal.
As part of a project undertaken by Aaranyak, a society for biodiversity conservation in north-east India recognised by the government of India, 43 rhinos have been identified through genetic analysis of dung samples, collected from the park in April 2011.
An Aaranyak official told
rediff.com that the results are significant given that the number of rhinos counted by the forest department using the conventional methods was 42.
Moreover, this study confirms a sex ratio 4:1 (male: female), similar to what has been found earlier.
This skewed sex ratio, with more number of males, has been a matter of concern for authorities.
A report on the work has already been submitted to the state forest department by Aaranyak, which recommended undertaking further genetic study on rhinos in the