“We heard gunshots from the Pahumari anti-poaching area. A group of forest guards launched an operation, but the poachers managed to flee towards the hills of Karbi Anglong. No one has been arrested,” a divisional forest officer in Kaziranga told a reporter just over a week ago, adding, “A rhino was killed that night and poachers cut off its horn. But our staff failed to locate the animal due to the darkness.” With the rhino horn trade flourishing in Assam, according to reports, poachers in league with militants have taken to equipping and training villagers to use AK 47 rifles.

Tourists riding on elephants look at a rhinoceros at the Indian Pobitora wildlife sanctuary, 55 kilometres, 31 miles, east of Guwahati on November 2, 2012. After three devastating waves of floods, the sanctuary which is home to the One Horned Rhinoceros was re-opened for tourists. Pobitora has the highest population density of rhinos in the world, presently numbering about 86, according to 2009 rhino census. Pic / AFP