Assam Floods: 159 Wild Animals Dead in Kaziranga National Park, 133 Rescued

Guwahati: As many as 159 wild animals, including nine rhinos, have died so far at Kaziranga National Park due to floods in Assam, an official said on Wednesday. 

Sonali Ghosh, Field Director, Kaziranga National Park said that fatalities include 128 hog deer, 9 rhinos, 2 swamp deer and 2 sambar. 

“On the other hand, 12 hog deer, one swamp deer, rhesus macaque, and otter-pup died under care. Two hog deer died due to a vehicle hit and an otter (pup) died for other reasons," Sonali Ghosh said.

133 Animals Rescued So Far

Ghosh further added that 133 animals have been rescued so far since the time flood water entered the National park. 

"Seven rescued animals, including two rhino calves, and two elephant calves, are now under treatment," Sonali Ghosh said.

62 forest camps in the park are still underwater and 4 camps have been vacated. There are 233 forest camps inside the park.

The core area of Kaziranga National Park is 430 sq km and the area of the park has increased following the addition of a few editions. Kaziranga is the home of more than 2600 one-horned rhinoceros. Recently, the Assam floods have worsened, with seven lives lost in the past 24 hours in the state, taking the total death toll to 79 this year. According to the report released by the Assam State Disaster Management Authority on Tuesday, two people from Cachar and one each from Dhubri, South Salmara, Dhemaj, Nagaon and Sivasagar lost their lives in the floods.

Over 17.17 lakh people in 26 districts are still being affected by the flood in the state. Rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, and local administration are all engaged in the rescue efforts in flood-hit areas. 

The forest region of Kaziranga Park is home to world’s largest population of Indian Rhinoceros. Other animals that can be seen in the elephant grass, marshland and dense tropical moist broadleaf forests of Kaziranga are Hoolock Gibbon, Tiger, Leopard, Indian Elephant, Sloth Bear, Wild water buffalo, swamp deer, etc.

Over 17.17 lakh people in 26 districts are still being affected by the flood in the state. Rescue teams from NDRF, SDRF, Fire & Emergency Services, and local administration are all engaged in the rescue efforts in flood-hit areas.