22-Jun-09 1:00 PM CST

Poachers Kill Rhino in Orang Park

A female rhino was killed by poachers in the Orang National Park in northern Assam on Saturday evening. The poachers managed to escape after removing the rhino’s horn even as the forest protection staff tried to chase the culprits through the darkness.

The rhino, believed to be between 20 and 25 years, was found dead with its horn missing when forest protection guards located it around 30 minutes after hearing two gunshots. “Our guards at the Nichalamari camp heard two gunshots following which they tracked the rhino, only to find it dead,” said Sukumar Momin, divisional forest officer (DFO) in charge of the 78.82 sq km Orang National Park.

Describing a breakthrough made on Sunday, Momin said, “We have nabbed two persons today and believe they were involved in the crime.” Harmuj Ali from Bosa-Simalu village , under Dhekiajuli police station close to the park, and a Manipuri have been arrested by forest officials at Jakhalabandha in Nagaon district of central Assam.

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