Another rhino killed in Assam

Guwahati, July 18 (UNI) Suspected Karbi poachers have killed another rhinoceros in the Kaziranga National Park, the ninth to be killed this year.

Official sources here today said the rhino was shot dead near the Goroimari camp of Bagori range of the park at around 1830 hours last evening.

The horn was taken away by the poachers, they added.

Sources said the poachers fired two rounds at the rhino and fled the place.

Forest guards then hemmed in on the area and a massive operation was launched to nab the poachers.

This is the ninth rhino to have been killed in the world heritage park this year.

On July 3, another rhino was killed in the Burapahar range.

Two days after the incident, authorities of the national park have dashed a report to the Asom government explaining the loopholes in the park's security machinery abetting the recurring incidents of poaching.

In its report to the state government, the KNP authorities pointed out lack of manpower, outdated arms and inadequate budget allocation as shortfalls which required immediate attention.

On July 10, forest guards gunned down a poacher in the Burapahar range and recovered a 303 pistol with some live rounds.

Since 1995, at least 92 poachers have been killed and some 660 arrested in the KNP alone.

After six rhinos were poached in the first quarter of this year, the forest department had been facing much heat from various quarters to intensify the security arrangements.

Even international bodies had moved the Prime Minister, seeking adequate measures to check poaching in the famed park.

The world heritage site has witnessed the killing of 558 one-horned rhinos since 1980.

UNI