Guwahati: A Home Guard was killed and a forest staff member critically injured in a rhino attack in the Kohora Range of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve (KNPTR) on Sunday.
The deceased, Sahabuddin, was posted at a camp in the range and was a resident of Juria in Nagaon district. He sustained grievous injuries when a rhino attacked him in the Bordoloni area. He was rushed to Kohora Hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Ramen Bora, who was on duty at the site, was also injured. He was given initial treatment at Kohora Hospital and later referred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH). His condition is stated to be critical but stable.
“Around 12 p.m., a rhino attacked two staff members on duty in the Bordoloni area under the Kohora Range. A team was immediately sent to the spot,” Arun Vignesh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO), Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, said.
Vignesh said the animal involved in the incident was being tracked and the situation assessed. Forest officials added that teams had been deployed to monitor the rhino’s movement and prevent further incidents.
Kaziranga, home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos, has witnessed sporadic attacks on frontline personnel. In February 2024, a forest guard and a Home Guard were critically injured in a similar attack within the park.