Poaching attempt on Assam rhino fails

Poachers Wednesday made an attempt to kill a one-horned rhino in Assam's Kaziranga National Park, but the attempt failed, an official said.

The poachers fired at the one-horned rhino but forest guards immediately launched an operation forcing the poachers to flee the spot, officials said.

The rhino received bullet injuries but was still alive.

"Our medics have rushed to the area and are attending to the injured rhino," said Kaziranga divisional forest officer S.K. Seal Sarma.

"The rhino was in the area for the last two months and our guards have been regularly monitoring the animal. However, the poachers attempted to kill the rhino today (Wednesday). Our guards immediately launched an operation," he said.

This was the first attempt by poachers this year. Last year, at last 45 rhinos were killed in various protected areas of the state, including 40 in and around Kaziranga National Park.