Water level rising again in Kaziranga, wildlife rescue teams on high alert
Flood waters rising
Kaziranga National Park (Assam), September 24, 2012: Wildlife rescue team of the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) are on high alert anticipating a second wave of flood in Kaziranga National Park as incessant rains over the past week have caused water levels to rise above the danger levels in many parts of the state.
“To contain the park casualty to the barest minimum we are in a state of high alert,” says Sanjib Kumar Bora, Director of Kaziranga National Park. “We appeal to anyone who comes across distressed wildlife to call on 03776-269563 (Rescue Centre), 03776-262428 (Kohora Range), 03776-268032(Agoratuli), 03672-279012 (Burapahar), 03672-283463 (Bagori) – the emergency help lines immediately.”
Body of an elephant being removed from flood water in Buraphaar
The rescue team of International Fund for Animal Welfare-Wildlife Trust of India (IFAW-WTI) has been assisting the Assam Forest Department in providing emergency relief to wild animals during floods. Earlier this year in June, the IFAW-WTI team helped save a hundred animals during the month-long intense floods displacing wildlife in Kaziranga NP.
IFAW-WTI has issued an alert among its team members, bringing them to Kaziranga from their various project sites across Assam.
A wild buffalo calf being taken to the Centre
“Veterinarians, biologist, sociologist and volunteers from our other projects will reach Kaziranga today and they will be placed in various strategic locations,” says Dr Bhaskar Choudhury, Principle Veterinarian – NE India and Manager, WTI. “We have even brought in sociologists to help assess the community mindset towards displaced wildlife and generate awareness against poaching.”
A rhino attempts to cross the highway to safer grounds
