Guwahati, July 4: Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Assam, is enduring severe flooding, putting its rich ecosystem and endangered species, including the iconic one-horned rhinoceros, under significant strain.
As of July 4, wildlife officials have rescued 72 animals from the flood-ravaged park. Among these, 63 are hog deer. Unfortunately, the floods have claimed the lives of 17 animals: 11 hog deer drowned, five succumbed despite treatment, and an otter pup also perished due to flood-related causes.
The dedicated rescue efforts have saved various species, including otters, sambars, scops owls, a rhino calf, an Indian hare, and a jungle cat. Currently, 26 animals are receiving care, while 29 have been treated and released back into the wild.
Encouragingly, official data shows some improvement. Of the 233 camps in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, 141 remain inundated—a decrease from the 173 camps previously underwater.
To protect wildlife, prohibitory orders restrict vehicular movement on NH-37 (New NH-715) and limit speeds to between 20 to 40 km/hour, ensuring safe passage for animals crossing the highway.
Despite the ongoing crisis, the resilience and efforts of wildlife officials and conservationists continue to offer hope for Kaziranga’s precious inhabitants, striving to mitigate the impact of the floods on this vital habitat.
