Assam floods leave nearly 600 animals dead in Kaziranga

As many as 595 animals, including 17 single-horned rhinos, in Assam's Kaziranga National Park died in the recent floods in the state, the environment ministry said Monday.

National Tiger Conservation Authority member M. Firoz Ahmad, sent by the ministry to make a spot appraisal of Kaziranga in the wake of the floods, reported that 595 animals have died in the park due to inundation.

Of these maximum causality has been reported among hog deer (512) followed by wild boar (28) and rhinos (17), he said in his report submitted to the ministry. According to the ministry, the report has highlighted the need for relieving the corridor areas from human pressure and avoiding change in land use pattern.

The park management has deployed patrolling staff for the protection of wild animals along the highways by creating barriers along with round the clock surveillance, it said.