Another rhino killed in Assam, poachers escape

Guwahati, Dec 4 (IANS) A one-horned rhino was shot dead by suspected paochers in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park Monday night, forest officials said Tuesday. The killers, however, failed to take away the rare animal’s horn.

Park director N.K. Vasu said the poachers could not chop off the horn and fled the area after forest guards retaliated.

“Last night, there were reports of firing from the Burhapahar range. Our forces launched an operation against the poachers. They had hit the rhino and killed it but could not take away its horn,” he said.

Vasu said cartridges of the AK series of rifles and 303 ammunition was recovered from the site.

As many as 14 rhinos have been killed till date this year in the park, located around 240 km from here.

“There have been continuous attempts to kill rhinos. Our staffs and security forces have been working hard to prevent this,” said Vasu.

He said joint operations by forest officials and police had led to arrest of over 50 poachers in three months.

He said about 235 security personnel, including those from the Central Reserve Police Force and the Assam Forest Protection Force, have been deployed in the park.

IANS 2012-12-04 12:54:16