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Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Rhino Census 2026
The Indian Rhinoceros population in Uttar Pradesh’s Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) rises to 53 after the successful completion of the fourth rhino census in June 2026. The fourth census records a net increase of 5 rhinos since the previous count, despite 3 recent mortalities.
Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Rhino Census 2026 and Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros:
| Dimension | Key Details |
|---|---|
| Population count (DTR) | The Indian Rhinoceros population in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve comprises 53 individuals. |
| Net change and mortality | The fourth census records a net increase of 5 rhinos since the previous count, despite 3 recent mortalities. |
| States with wild population | Uttar Pradesh remains one of only 3 states to support a wild population of the greater one-horned rhinoceros: Assam, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. |
| Enclosure management (DTR) | DTR manages rhinos across 2 high-security rhino rehabilitation enclosures, RR1 and RR2. |
| Rhinos in enclosures | Currently, 6 rhinos reside in RR1, and 36 rhinos reside in RR2. |
| Free-ranging release | 11 rhinos have been successfully released from the enclosures to roam completely free in the wild. |
| Reintroduction programme | The rhino reintroduction programme in Dudhwa begins in 1984–85 with the translocation of 7 founder rhinos from Assam and Nepal. |
| Location (DTR) | Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is located on the Indo-Nepal border in the Lakhimpur-Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. |
| Ecosystem (DTR) | Dudhwa Tiger Reserve comprises a unique Terai grassland and swamp ecosystem. |
| Faunal presence (DTR) | Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is home to endangered species like the Bengal tiger, swamp deer (barasingha), and Asian elephant. |
| Scientific name | The greater one-horned rhinoceros is scientifically named Rhinoceros unicornis. |
| IUCN status | The greater one-horned rhinoceros is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. |
| CITES status | The greater one-horned rhinoceros is listed in CITES Appendix I. |
| Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 | The greater one-horned rhinoceros is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. |