Golaghat, February 14: A forest guard at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, Pinku Chandra Nath, found himself in a harrowing situation as he sustained severe injuries in a rhino attack. The incident occurred at the Bakpara forest camp within the Kohora range while Nath was on patrol duty with an elephant on Tuesday.
Nath’s injuries prompted an urgent transfer to Kohora Model Hospital for initial treatment. However, due to the severity of his condition, he was subsequently referred to Apollo Hospital in Guwahati for further medical attention.
Reports indicate that during the patrol in the park’s designated area, an adult female rhino initiated an attack, causing the elephant to panic and flee. Consequently, both Nath and an elephant keeper were thrown off the elephant’s back during the chaos.
According to a forest official, Nath’s proximity to the rhino likely triggered the attack. Remarkably, the elephant keeper, also known as the “Mahout,” managed to evade harm during the incident.
The sudden confrontation serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by forest guards and wildlife personnel in safeguarding the park’s diverse ecosystem. Despite rigorous training and precautions, encounters with wildlife, especially formidable creatures like rhinos, pose inherent dangers.
Kaziranga National Park, renowned for its population of endangered one-horned rhinoceroses, remains a vital conservation area and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. However, incidents like these underscore the need for continuous vigilance and improved safety measures for personnel working within its boundaries.
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