Lakhimpur Kheri, July 10 -- The rhino population in Dudhwa has risen to 53 this year according to the latest counting process, which concluded on June 29. The current population comprised 17 males, 25 females and 11 sub-adults and calves, Dudhwa officials said. Compared to the pre-census rhino population of Dudhwa, an increase of five rhinos has been recorded this year, officials added. Rhino census in Dudhwa has been carried out every year since 2023 through 'total head count method' during which forest department teams are engaged to carry out the head count. The teams comb the rhino area on elephants and record the sightings of rhinos through direct sight. Every adult rhino in Dudhwa has its distinct identity and physical characteristics, making their counting process easy. Jagdish R, deputy director, Dudhwa Tiger Reserve (DTR), said the 2025 census had revealed the presence of 51 rhinos in Dudhwa including those in rhino rehabilitation area (RRA-1), RRA-2 and those eight rhinos released into open forests for gene pool diversity. He added three among these 51 rhinos namely Himanshu, Rajeshwari and a male calf died due to different reasons, reducing the total number of rhinos to 48 at the start of rhino census this year. Dudhwa rhinos assume significance as they were relocated here after a gap of over a century. deo kant pandey...