Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Assam Declines Rhino Transfer, Madhya Pradesh Eyes Other Zoos
Madhya Pradesh really wanted a rhinoceros for its zoo.
It asked the state of Assam to give it one.
Assam said no, because it could not provide a rhino.
So Madhya Pradesh is now asking other states for a rhino.
The two states had signed an agreement last year.
That agreement included rhinos, wild buffaloes, and king cobras.
Assam did send some wild buffaloes to Madhya Pradesh.
But the rhino part of the deal did not work out.
Madhya Pradesh will keep looking for a rhino from other zoos.
Assam refused to provide a rhinoceros to Madhya Pradesh under the zoo-to-zoo programme, citing pressing reasons.
Madhya Pradesh is now exploring zoos in Patna (Bihar) and West Bengal as alternative sources for a rhino.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma signed an MoU in October last year covering rhinos, wild buffaloes, and king cobras.
Assam has so far provided two batches of wild buffaloes to Madhya Pradesh out of the 50 it agreed to supply.
Van Vihar's separate proposal to obtain a king cobra from Karnataka has also not been executed.
- Who
- The Madhya Pradesh government, Van Vihar national park, and the Assam government.
- What
- Assam declined to transfer a rhinoceros to Madhya Pradesh, prompting the state to look at zoos in other states.
- When
- The refusal came after an MoU signed in October last year between the two states.
- Where
- Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and Assam.
- Why
- Assam said it was not in a position to provide the rhino, and a forest official said Assam had no rhino available under the zoo-to-zoo programme.
- State seeking rhino
- Madhya Pradesh
- State declining rhino
- Assam
- Reason for refusal
- Assam not in a position to provide the rhino
- MoU signed
- October last year
- Alternative options
- Zoos in Patna (Bihar) and West Bengal
- Wild buffaloes agreed
- 50
- Wild buffaloes received
- Two batches so far
- King cobra proposal
- From Karnataka; not executed