7th July, 2012, Golaghat: More than 540 animals, which include thirteen rhinos, have died in the Kaziranga National Park in the north eastern state of Assam after the park hit by flood. Flood waters have submerged around 80 percent of the park and 465 Hog Deer have died. According to reports, other casualties include 28 wild boars, 10 swamp deer, 5 porcupine, 2 wild buffalo, 2 hog badgers and 2 python.
The death toll is expected to go up as with receding water level, the park authorities are recovering more carcasses. Meanwhile, two rhinos have been killed by poachers and around 25 hog deer were killed by speeding poachers.
Till now, Forest guards, local people and NGOs have rescued two elephant calves, two rhino calves, and four barking deer and 126 Hog Deer and they have been taken to the CWRC (Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation).
The flood has caused huge damage of roads and bridges. The park has been submerged since 26th June. According to wildlife experts, the Hog Deer death toll is high as this species cannot endure in water and since they are small in size, they find it tough to run from flood water.
