Injured rhino goes on the rampage for 3rd day

JORHAT

: The

rhino

that was injured in a road accident on the national highway in Kaziranga National Park and

Tiger Reserve

created menace on the highway for the third consecutive day on Saturday.

Besides the police, park authorities deployed a large number of forest staff to guard the rhino but it continued damaging vehicles, posing a threat to the safety of those passing through the park. Top officials of the

state forest department

reportedly advised the park authorities to tranquilize the rhino to avoid further damage, but the forest staff in Kaziranga has failed to do so till Saturday evening.

DFO of Eastern Assam wildlife division, Kaziranga,

Ramesh Kumar Gogoi

said, “The rhino has not been tranquilized yet. Our efforts are on.” He added, “The rhino sustained multiple injuries in the accident and it is in need of treatment. But the treatment is not possible unless the rhino is tranquillized .”

The rhino was injured in a road accident occurred on NH 37 near Haladhibari animal corridor under

Kohora

forest range on Thursday when a goods carrying vehicle hit the animal while it was crossing the highway to reach the nearby Karbi hills. The rhino sustained injuries on its horn and legs. Forest and police personnel reached the spot immediately and seized the offending vehicle. A fine of Rs. 5,000/- was imposed on the driver for driving the vehicle beyond the permissible limit of 40 kilometers per hour inside Kaziranga.