Dispur:Â During the recent severe floods in Kaziranga National Park in Assam, a total of 159 wild animals have lost their lives due to drowning or while receiving treatment. Furthermore, 133 animals have been successfully rescued as of Tuesday.
The animal mortality rate has risen from 137 as of Monday due to the devastating impact of the second wave of floods that have affected the entire state. The deceased animals include nine rhinos, 142 hog deer, two sambar, a rhesus macaque, and an otter.
While 22 animals have died during treatment, including 17 hog deer, three swamp deer, as well as one each of a rhesus macaque and an otter pup, the forest officials managed to rescue several animals. These include 120 hog deer, three swamp deer, two of each rhino, sambar, elephant, and scops owl, as well as one each of an Indian hare, rhesus macaque, otter, and jungle cat.
At present, seven animals are under medical care, while 111 others have been released after receiving treatment, as confirmed by an official.
The park is currently facing the worst flooding in recent years, with the last significant devastation occurring in 2017, resulting in the loss of over 350 wildlife due to flooding and vehicle collisions while migrating through animal corridors to the highlands.
Out of the total 233 camps in the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, 62 remain inundated as of Tuesday evening, compared to 70 the previous day. It is vital to note that forest department employees, including security personnel, reside in camps within the national park to carry out patrols for the protection of the park’s flora and fauna.
