Assam: Need for studying rhino straying cases stressed

[Guest guest]

http://www.assamtribune.com/scripts/details.asp?id=feb2607\State6

 

Need for studying rhino straying cases stressed

From Our Correspondent

DERGAON, Feb 25 – Kaziranga, the world heritage site, is famous for

one- horned rhinos. But recently, cases of the huge animals straying

into human habitation have been on the rise. Wild elephants coming out

of forests into open areas or residential areas is a regular

phenomena, but such a situation in case of a rhino is a serious matter

of concern. In the past few days the frequent straying of rhinos has

created a major headache for forest officials. A male rhino came out

from Kaziranga recently and injured several persons at Jorhat town. At

present it is taking shelter at Malou pathar in Jorhat district. The

forest officials from Jorhat and Golaghat districts along with KNP

team are trying to take the rhino back but they have till now failed

in their efforts. The rhino was last seen in Malou pathar on Tuesday

night.

 

The forest officials of Jorhat, Golaghat, KNP including Dergaon are

maintaining a strict vigil. Accordingly to inforamation the foot

prints of the rhino were found and the rhino might be in Neolgaon and

Madarguri chapari of Majuli Jorhat. According to sources, the Malou

pathar is like a mini Kaziranga for rhinos.

 

When contacted the director of KNP D M Singh talking to this

correspondent said that there is no scarcity of food for rhinos.

Hence, its frequent straying out of KNP is a matter of serious

concern. So, there is a need of proper study in this matter. It is

pertinent to mention that two rhinos died recently as a result of such

straying.

 

On the other hand, a source revealed that due to mass human

interference the behaviour of the rhino has been changing. And for

that the rhinos have started moving out to the residential areas. The

heavy flow of tourists which is nearly 80,000 per year may also be a

factor. In this connection, it may be stated that change of weather

may also lead to the change of habitat of the rhino. Hence, the matter

deserves attention of the experts.