Rhino goes on the rampage

A male rhino, which fled the Gorumara forest area on Sunday morning, went on the rampage after it was chased by the local people of a nearby village.

“The rhino escaped from the Gorumara forest area and went on the periphery of Fatakpara village nearby. Attempts are being made to drive the animal back into the forest area,” Raj K. Mahtolia, the chief conservator of forest (wildlife) of North Bengal told The Hindu over telephone.

The rhino went to the riverbed and settled in an acacia plantation. Kunki elephants — trained elephants of the Forest Department — were rushed to the spot, to get the animal to return to the forest.

Crowds impede

“The situation was made worse by a crowd of curious onlookers that had gathered around it. They had surrounded the animal and the staff of the Forest Department was unable to drive the animal back into the forest with the crowds there,” Mr. Mahtolia said.