In the wake of the worst deluge in recent years, Kaziranga National Park has reported the death of 31 animals due to drowning, while 82 others have been rescued, a park official said on Thursday. The casualties include 23 hog deer that drowned and 15 that died during treatment.
Rescue efforts
Forest officials have successfully rescued 73 hog deer, two otters, two sambar deer, a scops owl, one rhino calf, an Indian hare, and a jungle cat. Currently, 20 animals are under treatment, and 31 others have been released post-treatment. Till Wednesday, 11 animals had drowned, and 65 were rescued from flood waters.
Tiger strays into village
A Royal Bengal Tiger strayed into a neighboring village in Nagaon district from the flooded park. Forest officials are attempting to tranquilize the animal, while police personnel have been deployed to prevent any untoward incidents and control the panic-stricken villagers.
Poaching concerns
Two individuals were arrested for allegedly consuming venison, suspected to be from deer that strayed from the park’s Northern range in Biswanath district.
Flood impact on camps
Out of 233 camps in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, 95 remain inundated as of Thursday evening, down from 141 earlier in the day. Forest department employees, including security personnel, stay in these camps to patrol and protect the park's flora and fauna. In the Eastern range, 12 of 34 camps are submerged, along with 31 of 58 in the central range, 33 of 39 in the Western range, eight of 25 in Burapahar, and three of nine in Bokakhat. So far, seven camps have been vacated by forest personnel.
Also read | Assam continues to reel under severe floods; death count reaches 38, over 11 lakh people affected
