Two rhinos killed by poachers in Assam

Two adult Rhinos with their horns chopped off were found dead today in separate forest areas of central Assam.

Both the male rhinos had been killed by poachers, forest department officials said.

The carcass of one of the rhinos was recovered from Gopaljaroni area near Gohpur in Sonitpur district. The rhino's horn was chopped off, along with its tail and some other body parts, they said.

It is yet to be ascertained when it was killed, the officials said.

Following the recovery of the carcass, 12 persons were detained in Gohpur while they were engaged in distributing flesh of the rhino.

It is suspected that the rhino had strayed from the Northern Range of Kaziranga National Park. The range is located in the north bank of the Brahmaputra in Sonitpur district, while the other ranges are in the south bank.

The other rhino with its horn removed was found dead in the wetlands near Brahmaputra river in Morigaon district of Assam.

Officials said the animal was killed during the past 48 hours and left at Sheetalmari char under Belguri police station, they said.

The rhino has reportedly strayed from the Orang National Park, located on the north bank of the Brahmaputra River in Darrang district, and crossed to the southern bank in Morigaon through one of the four corridors used by animals during the winter months.

Rhino horn is highly valued across the world for its alleged aphrodisiac qualities and use in traditional medicine.