Kaziranga park uses anti-poaching vessel to protect rhinos

Kaziranga (Assam) : Authorities at Kaziranga National Park have finally woken up to the grim realities of rhino poaching. Now a special squad has been put in place to patrol the river banks using anti-poaching vessel. The step has been taken to keep a check on poachers navigating the River Brahamputra in search of rhino horns. The vessel, which cost Rs 1.7 million, has been acquired by the assistance of US Fish and Wildlife Service and Rhino Foundation for Nature. "There was a shortage of vehicles for patrolling. We are really grateful to the Rhino Foundation for providing us with this patrolling vessel," said MC Malakar, Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF). The anti-poaching vessel has been provided with all the modern amenities so as to provide long hours of stay to the officials. Poachers enter Kaziranga looking for the horns of the Indian one-horned rhino. These horns are believed to have aphrodisiac properties and are smuggled to China, aside from being sold in the Asian markets. On an estimate, rhino horns can be sold for around $ 35,000/ kg.