Over 90 animals, including 7 rhinos in Kaziranga perished in floods
The seven rhinos in Kaziranga National Park drowned as many parts of the park flooded because of excessive rain this monsoon season.
Intense flooding in the northeastern state of Assam is taking its toll not just on humans but also the wildlife in the region. Kaziranga National Park lost 92 inhabitants due to the flooding, the environment minister revealed in a reply to Rajya Sabha Monday.
The fatalities include 7 rhinos, which as schedule I species under India’s wildlife protection act, and are accorded the highest level of protection. Most of the animals killed were hog deers.
Atleast 82 people have died in the flooding and over 2.5 million displaced. Flooding submerged large parts of the national park, that is receiving aid from the National Tiger Conservation Authority.
While a majority of the animals, including the 7 rhinos, died from drowning, some were hit by vehicles while trying to migrate to higher ground.
The park has suffered damages of over 7 crore rupees.