A rhino was killed by poachers and its horn cut off in Kaziranga National Park of Assam.
The carcass of the adult female rhino was found on August 8 near Meteka beel of the park and is suspected to have been killed on August 7.
Empty cartridges were also recovered near the carcass.
A suspected poacher has been detained and investigation is on, official sources said.
The news comes at a time when around 50% of the world-famous Kaziranga National Park is still inundated with flood waters.
At least 18 rhinos and 135 other wild animals died in the deluge this year.
A adult female rhino was found killed due to gunshot. The incident happened yesterday. One suspected poacher is detained and investigation is on.
— Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve (@kaziranga_) August 8, 2020
Kaziranga National Park director Karmashree P Sivakumar had said that 172 wild animals have been rescued so far from floodwater, even though over 95% of the park remained inundated until July 23.
“Last year, 263 animals, including many endangered rhinos, were killed in flood while 169 animals were rescued… all-out efforts are being made to take care of the animals in the entire Kaziranga National Park,” Sivakumar had said.
Editor’s Note: The cover photograph was changed on October 18, 2020.
