Animals suffer as floods rage

BY OUR STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI, Aug 2: The fury of floods in Assam is impacting its wildlife too, driving animals out of their habitats. Denizens of Kaziranga tiol Park continue to suffer as swirling floodwaters throw their movements out of gear. Fights are breaking out with crowded animals getting in each other’s way.

On Tuesday, a full-grown Royal Bengal tigress lost her life in a fight with a wild buffalo at Agaratoli Range of the park. The enraged bull pierced the tigress on her sides repeatedly with its razor sharp horns.

In another incident, a person was injured in Tezpur when a Royal Bengal tiger attacked him. It is suspected the tiger swam out of the park due to floods. Forest officials later said they were tracking the whereabouts of the tiger on the loose.

A disoriented rhino was found roaming about haphazardly on NH-37 Tuesday morning, creating panic and affecting traffic movement for a while. Earlier on Monday, a carcass of a rhino was found with its horn missing. The park authority claimed the rhino died a tural death.

As many as 310 wild animals including 21 rhinos have so far died in Kaziranga tiol Park in the current wave of floods. Out of these 21 rhinos, 10 were calves ranging from 2-6 months old. At least 221 hog deer died have also perished.

According to KNP authority, floodwater level this year is much higher compared to 2012. Animal mortality was highest in 2012.

Meanwhile, rescue operations have been carried out for 106 animals in cooperation with local people. Out of 9 rhinos rescued so far, eight are undergoing treatment at CWRC, Borjuri, while one rhino has been released.

“There are very few cases of stray rhinos this year and we are vigilant about all rhinos straying across NH-37. We have received tremendous support from local people around the park,” said Suvasish Das, Divisiol Forest Officer of Kaziranga tiol Park.