Population rise spelling doom for Kaziranga`s Rhinos?

New Delhi, July 29: A rise in the Rhino population in Assam's Kaziranga National Park is providing poachers "an easy stock" of their much-in-demand horn that sells for over Rs 30 lakh in the global market, wildlife officials say. "A huge demand for Rhino horns in the international market has led to poachers eyeing the easily-available animals in Kaziranga," said Utpal Bora, divisional forest officer of the park. "The poachers are part of an organised network and change tactics frequently," Bora told on phone from Kaziranga. "Now they strike at odd hours and during bad weather conditions," he said. At least 10 Rhinos have been killed this year, compared to five in 2006. Assam's chief wildlife warden M C Malakar said the difficult terrain and heavy rains have added to the woes of officials. "The poachers take advantage of the terrain and rough weather. But our men have done a remarkable job and three poachers were killed," he said. The poachers usually hide in the thick cover of tall elephant grass that grow rapidly in the park during the monsoons. Officials, however, said the poachers are not equipped with sophisticated weapons. "They still use the age-old .303 rifle but operate from strategic locations so that the animals are killed with a single shot," Bora said. "Of late, the poachers are also using silencers," Bora said. Routine night patrolling has now been intensified at vulnerable points in the park. "20 armed guards have also been recruited," he said. According to a 2005 census, the park had a population of 1,855 Rhinos, over 80 per cent of the global count. "Now the population is nearly 2,000," said Bora. In India, a Rhino horn fetches more than Rs 5 lakh, but this goes up five times in the international market. Markets for the medicinal use of Rhino horn flourish in countries like China, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Bureau Report