Carcasses of eight more rhinos were found in the Kaziranga National Park on Tuesday, taking the toll to 21.
“Out of the 21 rhinos, 10 are calves ranging from two to six months old and 221 hog deer perished along with other animals,” Suvasish Das, Divisional Forest Officer [DFO] of the park, stated in a media release on Tuesday.
Earlier estimates suggested that at least 13 rhinos were drowned or washed away due to the floods.
The 2015 census estimated 2,401 one-horned rhinoceros in the Kaziranga National Park in Upper Assam. The release said that between July 25 and August 2, at least 310 animals have died due to excessive flooding.
The park authorities also said that currently rescue operations were being carried for 106 animals with the help of locals. Mr. Das stated that so far nine rhinos have been rescued. While one of them was immediately released into the forest, eight are currently undergoing treatment at the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) at Borjuri in the Nagaon district of Assam.
Mr. Das pointed out that even though the water level was low this year compared to 2012, the animal mortality rate was higher in 2012.
The forest officials, however, are optimistic about the situation.
“Good news is that flood water is receding fast and out of the 130 inundated camps on July 25, 2016, only 70 camps continue to remain inundated,” the DFO said.
Mr Das also added that 135 km of roads and many bridges were damaged due to flooding. However, the actual assessment of the damage will be carried out later.
The release also stated that the numbers of stray rhinos were very few this year and the park authorities are keeping a watch on rhinos that are straying across National Highway 37. Mr Das also lauded the locals for their support in the rescue works.
