GUWAHATI: A poaching attempt in the flood-hit Kaziranga National Park was foiled after forest guards resorted to firing on Wednesday. A five-member poachers' gang, armed with automatic rifles, entered the Burapahar range of the park early on Wednesday.
"Our staff spotted the group near a temple inside the park. Soon, our staff engaged the gang in firing. The poachers fired at least 22 rounds of bullets against our staff, who also retaliated with the same intensity. However, the poachers managed to escape during the firing. They could not kill any rhino," Kaziranga divisional forest officer Rohini BallavSaikia said.
Saikia added that the poachers are suspected to be from militant groups as the firearms they carried with them were automatic rifles, which are generally not used for poaching. While forest guards and police were on maximum alert against poachers trying to target rhinos which took shelter in the highlands outside Kaziranga after the floods, park officials said the gang took the chance of sneaking into the protected area.
With animals, especially rhinos, returning to Kaziranga after the devastating floods started receding. During the high floods, which hit the park on August 10, many animals — including rhinos — moved to the highlands in KarbiAnglong district, neighbouringKaziranga. As on Wednesday, flood waters have completely receded from Kaziranga.
