Deaths in 1966, 9 (4/5) natural death, 1/1 young killed by tiger
Deaths in 1969, 12 (9/3) natural death, 2/1 young killed by tiger
Deaths in 1970, 20 (12/8) natural death, 4/2 young killed by tiger
Deaths in 1965, 19 (10/9) natural death, 4/2 young killed by tiger.
Deaths in 1971, 13 (8/5) natural death, 6/1 young killed by tiger
1908, Formed into reserve forest with primary objective of preserving the rhinoceros and other wild animals.
Deaths in 1967, 23 (10/13) natural death, 2/2 young killed by tiger
Deaths in 1968, 12 (5/7) natural death, 8/3 young killed by tiger
census 1966 First scientific and systematic census in 1966 by Forest Department with the help of H.K. Nath and J.J. Spillett. Results per compartment: Baguri 157 Tamulipathar 9 Haldhibari 49 Boralimora 8 Kaziranga 32 Charighoria 22 Panbari 30 Bhawani 59 Total of census 366, estimated total 400.
Poached in 1971, 8 (4/2 adult, 1/1 young)
Rhinos were found in all the compartments of the sanctuary. The Baguri block was found to have the maximum concentration of rhinos. As many as 309 rhinos out of a total of 658 rhinos were counted in Baguri block only. The reasons for such concentration requires detailed investigation. It is true of course that the area of the Baguri block was bigger than any other block. Thus it is seen that in Baguri block there is 1 rhino in every 55 acres against 1 rhino in every 142.2 acres for the whole sanctuary. The nature of vegetation and availability of fodder grasses in the remaining parts of the Sanctuary have no appreciable difference with that of Baguri block. The only difference is the fact that the number of beels and the area under water in Baguri block is more than in any of the remaining blocks of the Sanctuary. The rhinos in Baguri block as well as in the rest of the sanctuary were found in excellent health. Hence it can be safely assumed that the population of rhinos in the Sanctuary has not yet reached the saturation point. This is also indicated by the presence of vast areas of unused grasslands in the Sanctuary.
Flood is an annual feature of the sanctuary. The flood water maintains ist highest level for 5-10 days. During this time animals concentrate on roads and high grounds. Rhino numbers are ot much affected. Animals migrate across the highway to the Mikir Hills, sighting of rhino crossing over to the hills are not rare. Floods of lower intensity are benificial to the wildlife, but high floods are injurous but do not occur annually.
Every grasses are burnt by wildlife staff of sanctuary from Dec to Feb. Accidental fire not uncommon. Burning never complete over all the area. Burning is done with a view to encourage new growth of grasses and to facilitate patrolling. Rhino relish the partially burnt stems of tall grasses like Arundo donax, Phragmites karka, Erianthus sp.
Census from 24-25 March 1972 Results by compartment: Baguri I & III 35 Haldhibari I 6 Baguri II 29 Haldhibari II 18 Baguri IV 55 Haldhibari III 50 Baguri V 34 Haldhibari IV 32 Baguri VI 40 Kaziranga I 18 Baguri VII 21 Kaziranga II 2 Baguri VIII 11 Kaziranga III 13 Baguri IX 12 Kaziranga IV 1 Baguri X 49 Tamulipathar I 5 Baguri XI 23 Tamulipathar II 4 Panbari I 19 Tamulipathar III 7 Panbari II 25 Boralimora I 6 Panbari III 9 Boralimora II 2 Panbari IV 3 Boralimora III 1 Panbari V 8 Boralimora IV 5 Charighoria I 12 Bhawani I 1 Charighoria II 10 Bhawani II 7 Charighoria III 6 Bhawani III 29 Charighoria IV 22 Bhawani IV 18 Charighoria V 10 Grand Total in March 1972 census: 658 rhino. In summary: Baguri 309 Tamulipathar 16 Haldhibari 106 Boralimora 14 Kaziranga 34 Charighoria 60 Panbari 64 Bhawani 55 Total of census 658, estimated total 670.
Poached in 1968, 10 (7/3)
Poached in 1967, 12 (6/4 adult, 1/1 young)
Poached in 1969, 8 (1/0 adult, 2/5 young)
Poached in 1970, 2 (2/0)
1916, November, declared as a Game Sanctuary .
Poached in 1966, 5 (2/3)
Poached in 1965, 18 (14/4).
1969, With passing of Assam National Park Act of 1968 and obtaining the assent of the President of India on 29 April 1969, it is now proposed to convert into National Park. Preliminary notification have been published, No. FOR/WL/722/45 dated 23 Sep 1969.
Kaziranga Wild Life Sanctuary, situated partly in civil district of Sibsagar and partly under Nowgong District, Assam, 90.5 and 93.40 E, 26.30 and 26.45 N, in the flood plain of the Brahmaputra at the foot of Mikir Hills south of National Highway 37. The area has been formed by the deep alluvial deposits of the Brahmaputra, and is flat with a east to west slope. Rainfall throughout the year, comparatively dry months Nov - Feb, hottest June - Sept. The Brahmaputra flows along the northern boundary, the River Mora Diflu along southern boundary, and rivers Diflu and Bhengra flow through it from east to west. Other small streams originating in Mikir Hills draining into sanctuary are Borjuri, Diring, Kohora, Dehing, Bhalakjuri, Deopani. Total area 42,496 hectares or 429.96 kmy. Constant change in exact area due to erosion and formation of new land by the Brahmaputra, present area only 37,822.43 ha.
From the figures for the last seven years the average mortality of rhinos is 30 annually which is 4.6 % of the total rhinos counted during this year. On the basis of these figures the annual rate of growth of rhino population in Kaziranga comes to 37 which is 5.6 % of the population. Approximately 6 young rhinos die annually due to tiger attack. The number of natural deaths amongst the adult population are due to old age and fighting. Thus in an average ca.16 rhinos die of old age and fighting etc. The annual mortality rate is considerably affected by poaching.
In a population of 658 rhinos there were 67 adult females with. calves less than one year old. That is 10.2 % of the total population were calves less than one year old representing the annual rate of calving. Again out of 188 adult females 67 were with calves. That is 35.6 % of the total adult female population were accompanied by calves. It is not difficult to differentiate between one year old and two year old calves in the field. Yet possibility of error in some marginal cases cannot be ruled out. The calves generally accompany the mother up to 3 years and in some cases till the next calf is born. But the be- haviour of a very young calf and its mother and that of a grown up calf and its mother are quite different and can be easily distinguished.
Thus it is seen that in Baguri block there is 1 rhino in every 55 acres against 1 rhino in every 142.2 acres for the whole sanctuary. The nature of vegetation and availability of fodder grasses in the remaining parts of the Sanctuary have no appreciable difference with that of Baguri block. The only difference is the fact that the number of beels and the area under water in Baguri block is more than in any of the remaining blocks of the Sanctuary.
Out of the total count of 658 rhinos 472 were classified into males and females. Of the entire adult population of 391 rhinos, 203 males and 188 females (including the 67 mothers). The sex ratio in the adult population thus works out to 100 males for 92 females. In case of 81 young rhinos of whose sex was identified, 44 males against 37 females. The sex ratio in the young population thus works out to 100 males for 84 females. In the check census out of a total count of 229 rhinos, 100 males, 93 females, 34 calves and 2 were nonsexed. Here also the sex ratio comes out to 100 males for 93 females. Thus we can roughly estimate that the males and females in a population are equally distributed with the sex ratio of one is to one. But considering the fact that an adult female rhino gives birth to a calf after every three to four years after a gestation period of 16 to 18 months it is apparent that in any particular time of the year there will be a group of pregnant adult females, females with less than one year old calf and females with 2 year old calf who will not go into heat and will not accept the services of any male. Hence the sex ratio of one is to one appears to be unlikely. Probably the disparity in the sex ratio can be explained to some extent by the fact that for successful mating of rhinos the heat period of both the male and the female must coincide.
Kaziranga. Female give birth after every 3 to 4 years.
1973, India, IRS 10.000 per kg on government auction
1973, Kaziranga, During 1973 census one rhino horn weighing 1.139 kg was receovered, which has a value of about IRS 11,000
16 to 18 months.
Natural deaths amongst the adult population are due to old age and fighting.
Approximately 6 young rhinos die annually due to tiger attacks.
