Assam’s current wave of floods has taken its toll not only on human life but on the animal population of the world-famed Kaziranga National Park as well. Over 540 animals have perished. The list includes 13 rhinos, 465 hog deer, 10 swamp deer, 28 wild boars, five porcupine, 16 sambars and two each of python, wild buffalo and hog badgers. The death toll among the hog deer was high primarily because they find it difficult to flee the flood water on account of their small size.

More carcasses are expected to be found as the water level recedes at this UNESCO World Heritage site where the flood has resulted in inundation of nearly 80 per cent of the Park’s area.

 

Speeding vehicles also claimed the lives of about 25 hog deer while two rhinos were killed by poachers.

Rescue operations by forest guards and NGOs resulted in 126 hog deer, two rhino calves, two elephant calves and four barking deer being taken for treatment at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC).

The park has been flooded since June 26 and within a couple of days nearly 80 per cent of the sanctuary was inundated with only the natural and artificial highlands spared where the animals fled for shelter.