18th rhino this year killed in Kaziranga, India.

30/12/2006 00:00:00 October 25. A pregnant female rhino was killedin Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, October 23, bringing the total number of rhinos killed this year to 18. In contract with earlier incidents, when rudimentary locally manufactured weapons were used, a .303 rifle was used. The poachers escaped with the horn. The forest guards reportedly heard 4 gun shots around 6:30 pm, but were helpless because of the darkness. The carcass, minus the horn, was recovered the following morning. A post mortem conducted by the Forest Veterinary Officer, T Hazarika, revealed that the rhino was pregnant.

Involvement of people of the 'Paite' community from a nearby village is suspected, as the intelligence information received earlier stated presence of a group armed with .303 and automatic rifles. The proximity of the village to a local major highway facilitates the transportation of arms and ammunitions.

Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park holds the by far the largest population (over 1800) of the 'endangered' Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), a massive increase since the beginning of the 20th century when just 12 rhinos survived. The animal is illegally hunted for its horn, the powdered form of which is used in the Traditional Chinese Medicines, and sells for about U$40,000 per kg in the international black market.

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