By IANS
Guwahati : Emergency relief teams of wildlife experts from all over India have been helping authorities of the Kaziranga National Park in Assam in providing relief to animals displaced and marooned by the recent flash floods.
Experts from NGOs Wildlife S.O.S. and Friendicoes SECA with initial support from One Voice and International Animal Rescue have been working in flood-hit areas of the national park, which is home to the famed but endangered one-horned rhinos.
The flood relief teams led by Wildlife S.O.S. co-founder Kartick Satyanarayan and veterinarian Kajal Jadav arrived in Kaziranga Sep 11 with over 300 kg of veterinary drugs, feed additives and medicines for animals as well as emergency medication for people, a Wildlife S.O.S. statement said Friday.
“Rain-coats, torch lights, spare batteries are being provided to the frontline patrolling staff to monitor the national highway which is the most vulnerable area where animals cross to higher ground to escape the floods. It is on this highway that elephants, deer, civets, snakes and other wildlife get killed by speeding traffic,” said D.D. Boro, range officer of Kaziranga’s Kohora Range.
“Working at the grassroots level with the frontline staff gives us an insight into their problems. It is important to feel the pain that the field staff feel and share their burdens to understand and appreciate the situation first hand,” said Kartick Satyanarayan.
Veterinarian Nabha of Friendicoes SECA said: “A forest guard patrolling the highway in pitch darkness and pouring rain will surely find a piping hot cup of tea at 2 a.m. most refreshing. Recognising their commitment and efforts will surely go a long way in encouraging them.”
The teams also provided 300 kg of rice to the relief camps where women and children from nearby villages have been taking shelter.
“Their belongings and houses have been washed away and if we don’t help them they will be forced to sell their animals to butchers in a distress sale to buy food for their children,” said veterinarian Suraj Kumar.
Kaja Yadav said: “Our teams are also providing veterinary drugs and medication to the livestock belonging to affected villagers living on the edge of the national park where water-borne diseases as well as the foot-and-mouth disease could affect domestic livestock.”
“Affected cattle must be treated immediately as there is risk of this disease spreading to the wild animals like elephants, wild buffaloes and other herbivores,” she added.