Kaziranga National Park , Assam: Poachers killed one more rhino last evening and escaped with its horn, raising the number of deaths to nine this year, despite the park administration’s claim that enforcement efforts had been intensified.

The Kaziranga National Park (KNP) in the north-east Indian Assam state is facing its worst year in the last decade with the death toll aleady reaching nine, with six months to go. A poacher was killed in a shootout just last week and the officials were hoping that this would act as a deterrent.

Tough security measures, including an emergency action plan, had been been put in place and as a bold step the park administration had issued shoot-at-sight orders last April to send a clear signal to the poachers.
Last evening, forest guards who maintain a round the clock vigil, heard the sound of gun shot and following it, came upon the carcass of a freshly killed rhino with its horn sawn off . This was despite reaching within ten minutes of having heard the shots. Two empty .303 rounds were found near the spot.

The poachers are believed to have enter ed from the border that runs along the National highway 37, which runs along the border of Karbi Anglong district of Assam.

“This is a serious situation!” Ashok Kumar, Vice Chairman , Wildlife Trust of India said . “Such a severe threat to the rhino population comes after a gap of many years and if required armed police should be d eployed to raise the level of security inside the 430-square-kms Park”

Five rhinos were poached last year and seven were killed in 2005. About 500 rhinos have been killed by poachers over the past 20 years, according to government estimates.

Official sources said that 50 new rifles with 8000 rounds of ammunition were recieved by the park yesterday .