All shops in Bokakhat subdivision of Assam, which nestles the world-famous UNESCO heritage site of Kaziranga National Park, have run out of Lactogen 2 milk powder.
Shopkeepers reveal that locals have purchased the milk powder to feed the eight stressed and scared flood-orphaned rhinoceros calves, who have just arrived at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), which is run by Wildlife Trust of India in collaboration with International Fund for Animal Welfare.
Endangered
The eight rhino calves were orphaned during the recent floods in Assam, the most devastating since 2004, which inundated 80 per cent of Kaziranga. The park is home to endangered one-horned rhinoceros.
The calves were rescued and are being treated at CWRC, which has appealed for donation of Lactogen 2 milk powder as the calves only drink milk for the first year of their lives.
On an average, five to six packets of Lactogen 2 are required every day to feed one rhino calf.
CWRC head Rathin Burman said the locals volunteered to help and donated the milk powder. The CWRC’s annual budget is enough to feed three rhinos.
Rohit Choudhury, an activist working for protection of Kaziranga, said the rhino calves are stressed as they are very young and this is perhaps the first time that they are away from their mothers.
Adopt a calf
Pointing to the lack of a dedicated government fund for helping such animals, Mr. Choudhury said: “It is time for people to come forward to help these calves. They should support the cause.”
Persons willing to adopt a rhino calf for two years can contact 03776294563.
