At least 114 wild animals have been killed in Assam floods, either due to drowning or during treatment. A total of 95 others have been rescued from floodwaters inside the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Rserve, Bokakhat as of Saturday, the government of Assam stated in its flood report.
The dead animals include four rhinos and 94 hog deer, who passed away due to drowning in the Kaziranga National Park, while 11 others died during treatment.
"The forest officials rescued 86 hog deer, two each of sambar deer and scops owl and one each of a rhino calf, Indian hare, otter, elephant and jungle cat," a KNP official told news agency PTI.
Currently, 34 animals are receving medical care, while 50 others have been released after treatment.
The animal mortality has risen from Friday's toll of 77, which included three rhinos, 62 hog deer, and an otter, who died due to drowning in the national park. 11 of them died during treatment. On Thursday the tally stood at 31, PTI reported.
As per the flood report on July 6, 20 out of 58 camps in Kaziranga are inundated. In Agratoli, six out of a total of 34 camps are inundated and 21 out of 39 in Bagori.
The water level at Numaligarh, Tezpur, Dhansirimukh, and Nimatighat is still above the danger level. Meanwhile, water level at Dibrugarh and Pasighat is now below the danger mark.
18-Month-Old Rhino Calf Rescued
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma took to X to share that an 18-month-old rhino calf, a flood sruvivor, was rescued by Centre For Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC).
"Our community is at the heart of our conservation efforts.This 18-month-old rhino calf, a flood survivor, was sheltered by Smt. Pushpanjali Sharma at Baghmari and subsequently rescued by CWRC. These collaborative efforts in challenging times are what truly make us Awesome Assam!" Biswa wrote on X along with the visuals of the calf.
Forest officials rescued 85 hog deer, two sambar, two scops owls, and one each of a rhino calf, Indian hare, otter, elephant, and a jungle cat, PTI reported on Friday.
Vehicular Traffic Restricted On NH-37
As of July 5, 33 animals were under medical care, out of which 50 were released after treatment.
"Out of the total 233 camps in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, 75 still remain inundated till Friday evening as against 95 the previous day," an official told PTI.
In order to protect the flora and fauna, forest department employees including the security personnel stay inside the national park in camps and conduct patrolling.
Amidst the prevailing situation, prohibitory orders under Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita's Section 163 is in force to restrict the movement of vehicular traffic on NH-37 (New NH-715).