One more rhino found dead in Kaziranga

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One more rhinoceros was found dead on Saturday in the flood waters at Kaziranga National Park, which has seen a sudden rise in poaching activities in past few days.

While a total of six rhinos have died in past four days in poaching and flood-related incidents, the toll ever since the third wave of floods began on September 21 has gone up to 10.

Body of the mature female rhino with its horn intact was found floating in the flood waters at Gorakati under Bagori Range of the park on Saturday, Deka said adding that the animal drowned in flood waters and was not a victim of poaching.

The horn from the body of the rhino was handed over to the forest department, he said. The carcass of the pachyderm was recovered during routine patrolling in the park, which has most of its 430 sq km area under flood waters.

Between September 26 and 28, five rhinos were killed by poachers while during the current year, 18 have so far been killed and their horns taken away.

Meanwhile, a three-member central investigation team has arrived here on Saturday to probe into the sudden spurt in poaching of rhinos in Kaziranga, a World Heritage Site.

Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi is confident that the CBI inquiry recommended by his government into rhino killings will help in nabbing the culprits.

The killing of rhinos had earlier sparked off protests in the state, with several organisations including All Assam Students' Union (AASU), Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) and Krishak Mukti Sangram Parishad (KMSS) blocking the NH-37 which runs through the Park.

ULFA's Paresh Barua led anti-talk faction has also condemned the killing of rhinos and accused the government of failing to save Assam's heritage.

Prominent conservation group Aaranyak has alleged that failure of intelligence network and lack of coordination among concerned authorities, besides 'poor' commitment on part of officials is the main cause behind poaching incidents in the park.