(IN) WTI rescues trapped Rhino in Kaziranga

January 19, 2009

*Rhino rescued from a mud-pit near Kaziranga*

*Kaziranga (Assam), January 15, 2009:* A sub-adult female rhino stuck in a

mud-pit near Kaziranga National Park was rescued this morning by the Assam

Forest Department, assisted by Wildlife Trust of India-International Fund

for Animal Welfare (WTI-IFAW).

The rhino had its hind legs trapped in thick mud in a pit on a stretch of

farmland near Rajabari Tea Estate, about two kilometres west of Kaziranga

National Park. Dr Prasanta Boro, WTI-IFAW veterinarian, was called in, when

it became clear that it was impossible for the rhino to 'pull free' on its

own.

" There was a huge crowd gathered around the rhino, which must have unnerved

it. There was no way it could have got out on its own. It was fatigued from

repeated attempts at pulling herself out of the mud and could barely move

when I reached there, " Dr Boro said.

Civil Administration personnel intervened to help disperse the crowds of

people, who thronged the site to get a closer glimpse of the helpless

animal. Reportedly, a woman was injured as she got too close.

After preliminary examination, Dr Boro administered injectibles comprising

life-saving drugs and multi-vitamins.

The Forest Department authorities including SN Buragohain, Director,

Kaziranga NP and DD Gogoi, DFO, Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, meanwhile

devised the plan to free the rhino by digging out the mud around the pit, to

level it out.

An earth-mover was then deployed to carefully excavate the mud around the

trapped animal's hind legs. About 30 minutes after this intervention, the

rhino began to shuffle around. Soon, it freed itself from the pit, and

walked slowly away towards the forest.

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