Floods are an annual event that is expected when the monsoon reaches parts of Northeast India. Unfortunately, this year the floods have been worse than normal and many parks are almost entirely submerged!
This poses a huge problem for wildlife that is struggling to cope with rising water levels. In fact almost 80 per cent of Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, famous for its one-horned rhinos, was under water!
To combat this grim situation, forest authorities, non-government organisations, and local villagers have come together to save wildlife. Measures included rescuing young animals, such as rhino calves, from drowning, stopping traffic on the highway near Kaziranga to allow animals to cross the road and move to higher land, and deploying additional staff to patrol the park by boat and foot. In Bihar’s Valmiki Tiger Reserve, which is also flood-affected, 50 swimmers have been employed to rescue drowning wildlife and anti-poaching patrols have been increased to ensure that poachers do not take advantage of the situation. Cub kids, we’re sure that you will join us in saluting these ‘mud-on theboots’ heroes who are protecting our wildlife come rain or shine.
Ivory Smuggling Kingpin Jailed
TANZANIA
In December 2014, a man named Feisal Mohammed was arrested by Interpol agents in the country of Tanzania. Earlier in June, Mohammed, long suspected to be a key player in the international, illegal ivory trade, was found to be in possession of over two tonnes of elephant tusks! For so many tusks, an estimated 114 wild elephants would have been poached.
Now, a court in Mombasa has sentenced Mohammed to 20 years in jail and ordered him to pay a fine of Rs. 1,31,89,080! This strict order is a welcome judgment that will serve as an example to other poachers and smugglers.
This story is from the September 2016 edition of Sanctuary Asia.
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This story is from the September 2016 edition of Sanctuary Asia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
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