LAKHIMPUR KHERI, March 8 -- To break the cycle of in-breeding and widen their gene pool, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR) here is preparing to release six more one-horned rhinos from their fenced enclosure in the south Sonaripur range. The animals will be chosen from a pool of 16 candidates, but only after DNA tests from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) confirm that no two selected rhinos share a bloodline, DTR authorities said on Sunday.

"Our focus is that the six rhinos, which are to be released into the open outside the fenced enclosure rhino rehabilitation area-1 (RRA-1), do not share the same gene pool and are genetically unrelated," said Dr H Rajamohan, field director and chief conservator of forests, DTR.

He said they would ensure...