Two Rescued Rhinos Return to the Wild in India

Two young rhinoceroses are getting a second chance at wild life after nearly losing everything to floodwaters in northeastern India.

The pair, a male and female now five years old, were rescued separately during severe floods that swept through Kaziranga National Park in August 2020 and August 2021. Both arrived at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation injured, vulnerable, and needing intensive care.

Fast forward to January 20, 2026, and these two rhinos are strong, healthy, and ready to rejoin their natural habitat. The translocation marks another success story for Assam's wildlife conservation efforts.

The animals spent years under veterinary care at CWRC, receiving treatment and learning survival skills. Now they've been moved to a pre-release enclosure within Kaziranga, where they'll gradually adjust to natural conditions before roaming freely in the wild.

A team of veterinarians led by CWRC Centre-in-charge Bhaskar Choudhury supervised the careful move. Senior officials from Kaziranga National Park, including Field Director Sonali Ghosh, ensured every protocol was followed to give these rhinos the best chance at successful reintegration.

The Ripple Effect

This rescue-to-release operation reflects years of collaboration paying off. The CWRC, established in 2002 through a partnership between the Assam Forest Department, Wildlife Trust of India, and the International Fund for Animal Welfare, has rescued over 7,397 animals across 357 species since opening its doors.

About 4,490 of those animals have successfully returned to the wild after treatment. For one-horned rhinoceroses specifically, the numbers tell an encouraging story: 25 rehabilitated rhinos were previously released in Manas National Park, with two others already returned to Kaziranga.

These rehabilitation protocols exist specifically for animals affected by natural disasters. Floods remain a recurring threat in the region, but the established system ensures rescued wildlife receive expert care and a fair shot at recovery.

The one-horned rhinoceros faces ongoing conservation challenges, making every successful return to the wild significant. Each healthy rhino released strengthens the wild population and demonstrates that human intervention, when done thoughtfully, can make a real difference for endangered species.

This careful, patient approach transforms tragedy into triumph, one rescued animal at a time.