Forest dept concerned over safety of ‘stray’ rhino

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Forest dept concerned over safety of `stray' rhino

From A Correspondent

JORHAT, Feb 12 – The Forest department here is concerned over the

safety of a rhinoceros which has strayed from the Kaziranga National

Park. It has been seen grazing in the Sarala Beel in the Jhanjimukh

area. Two KNP officials rushed in here on Thursday to mull a strategy

to lead the animal back to the centenary park.

 

The one-horned beast was first sighted in the Neamati area on Tuesday.

Though the Forest officials followed the trail of the rhinoceros, they

failed to locate it in the chaporis (sandbars) along the Brahmaputra.

Despite its tracing now, the Forest department is unable to act

immediately in view of the present position of the rhinoceros.

 

A Forest department source expressed the possibility of tranquillsing

the animal to carry it back safely to its original habitat. However,

this can be done only when the rhinoceros is out of the waters, the

source pointed out.

 

Meanwhile, a large crowd has reportedly gathered in the area to view

the animal. The noise may scare away the rhinoceros, the Forest

department source warned. Therefore, a strict vigil is being kept on

the movement of the `stray' animal. An effort will be made so that the

rhinoceros does not leave its present location or enter the adjoining

villages in the area, the source said.