GUWAHATI:
Four wild animals were killed after they were hit by speeding vehicles on National Highway-37, which passes through Kaziranga National Park, on June 18. The animals were trying to escape the floods and crossed the national highway to get to the Karbi Anglong hills.
The Kaziranga National Park had capped the maximum speed limit of vehicles inside the park at 40 km per hour. Vehicles flouting the norms would be fined Rs 5,000, which is over and above the amount to be paid for an offence under the Motor Vehicles Act. But despite the advisory, many still drive rashly and above the given speed limit.
“Three hog deer and one leopard were killed in the wee hours of yesterday,” said Jatindra Sarma, director of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR).
He also revealed that another deer died on June 19 after it was attacked by stray dogs.
“Apart from the floods, stray dogs have become a threat for wild animals, especially for hog deer. Two hog deer were injured seriously in a dog bite, one of them died today. We are planning to launch a drive against stray dogs in the park areas, and discussions are on with veterinary experts regarding it,” Sarma said while adding that another four were rescued by forest personnel.
Kaziranga faces floods every year during the monsoon and many animals either die by drowning or after being hit by vehicles. The flood water has covered around 15 per cent of the park area, and of the 223 forest camps, 34 have totally been submerged while 14 forest camps have been vacated.
Following the directions of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), six animal sensor cameras have been installed in the park.