Rhino carcass found in Kaziranga

Kaziranga: Forest officials stand near the body of a one-horned rhinoceros, which was killed and de-horned by poachers, near between Khorali in Kaziranga on Wednesday. PTI Photo (PTI9_18_2013_000149A)

The carcass of a rhinoceros, with its horn intact, was seized by forest guards at Burapahar Range of Kaziranga National Park (KNP) on Tuesday.

The carcass was found during routine patrolling by forest guards and it is assumed that the animal died a natural death, Park sources said.

However, the park authorities have sent samples of the rhino for testing to check whether it was poisoned.

The carcass was found near Kuthori Lower Primary School, which is behind Burpahar Range in Nagaon district, KNP sources said.

On October two, the body of a rhino, also suspected to have died a natural death, was recovered near Daflang camp in Bagori Range of the KNP.

This year 14 rhinos have died so far due to natural causes in Kaziranga, Park sources said, adding, last year the figure was 16 and included those killed by floods.

The total number of rhino deaths so far this year in this 430 sq-km UNESCO world heritage site is 35.

Assam is home to two-third of the world’s one-horned rhinos and Kaziranga is the home-land of over 2,000 of them.