(IN): Rhino carcass in farmer backyard

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Rhino carcass in farmer backyard

OUR CORRESPONDENT

 

*Dergaon, Dec. 28:* The carcass of a rhino that had strayed from Kaziranga

National Park a few days ago was dug out today from a farmer's backyard some

25km away.

 

Apart from the horn, poachers have taken away the tail, nails and ears of

the female rhino, suspected to have been killed nearly three days back. The

carcass bore two bullet marks.

 

This is the first time that a rhino has been buried in a pit after being

killed.

 

Though the farmer, Gobendra Pegu, was interrogated about the carcass, the

police refused to divulge further details.

 

" Three rhinos had strayed out of the park on Thursday. While one came back,

there was no news of the other two. The carcass of one was recovered today, "

the director of the park, Surendra Buragohain, said.

 

With one more rhino still outside the park, forest officials fear that

poachers may also target this animal.

 

Buragohain said forest rangers try to keep a watch on the rhinos, which

stray out of the park, but it is difficult to follow these animals all the

time.

 

A forest official said police and forest personnel launched a joint

operation today following specific information that a rhino was shot dead by

poachers a few days back.

 

" After launching a search, we found marks of newly dug earth in the backyard

of a house. After digging up the yard, we found the carcass, which has still

not decomposed, " a forest official said.

 

Carbide was used to quicken the decomposition process in the seven-foot deep

pit.

 

Robin Saikia, the veterinarian who conducted the post-mortem, estimated that

the rhino was killed nearly 72 hours ago.

 

A source said a group of poachers was seen in Bonkowal near the park a few

days ago and forest guards with the help of the police were conducting joint

operations in the area since they received the information.

 

This is the tenth rhino falling prey to poachers this year. While seven

rhinos were killed inside the park, three were killed outside.

 

Apart from these, 53 rhinos died because of natural causes and 20 calves

were killed by tigers this year.

 

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