Assam floods: 96 animals die at Kaziranga National Park

JORHAT: Kaziranga National Park has lost three more rhinos to floods on Saturday. Another seven animals have also drowned to death in floodwaters, taking the toll to 96 on Saturday.
With the Saturday deaths, the total number of rhinos died in floods have gone up to eight so far.
A park official said, “Forests staff found the carcasses of three rhinos, one each at western, eastern and central forest range of the park. All are died due to drowning in floodwaters. Of the three full-grown animals, two are male and one female".
“The first carcass was spotted at Goroimari Tongi area of western forest range while other two were spotted at Lahoridubi of Tinibeal and west of Gangabeal under the park’s eastern and central forest range respectively," he added.
Earlier a rhino carcass was found at the west side of Moridipholu under western forest range on June 26 and subsequently two each on July 14 and 15.
The park has also lost six hog deer and a wild buffalo in the floods on Saturday. With these, the total number of deaths of hog deer has gone up to 74 and wild buffalo to three during the ongoing flood fury. Moreover, the park has lost seven wild boar, two swamp deer and two porcupines in the floods so far. Of the total deaths 14 hog deer died due to vehicle hit on NH 37 while they tried to cross the highway to reach nearby Karbi hills to save themselves from the flood.
Meanwhile, the flood situation in Kaziranga remained unchanged until Saturday afternoon. According to a report issued by the park authority, 85% of the total park area is still under water. A central water commission report said the water level of Brahmaputra river is more than one meter above the danger mark at Neematighat and it is still rising.