26-Oct-08 2:00 PM CST

Ailing Rhino Calf Dies in Zoo

Guwahati, Oct. 26: The mysterious disease which killed a rhino calf in Pobitora sanctuary nearly a fortnight ago, claimed another victim last night in the Guwahati zoo where it had been brought for treatment.

The calf was brought from the Pobitora wildlife sanctuary for closer observation and medical care last week after it had shown symptoms similar to the other year-and-a-half rhino calf, which died there.

The symptoms include paralysis of the posterior, fever, loss of appetite and weakness.

The divisional forest officer (DFO) of Assam State Zoo, Narayan Mahanta, said the condition of the calf was quite critical when it was brought here on October 22. The rhino was paralysed and had lost the strength to stand up.

Forest officials had found the ailing calf on the bank of a waterbody inside Pobitora sanctuary. Besides, the calf had injuries on its back, abdomen and on both sides of the mouth.

Mahanta said the rhino had shown some signs of improvement on October 23 and by evening had also started taking food. Six veterinarians were on duty round the clock to save the calf.

The post-mortem of the rhino was carried out today by nine doctors, he added. However, the report would be available only by tomorrow.

Prasanta Boro, a veterinarian with the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation based at Kaziranga said the calf had died of infection.

, the exact nature of which may be known only after the post-mortem report was available.

He said the post-mortem report of the rhino, which had died earlier from a similar disease, was yet to be ready.

He rejected the possibility of the rhino having died from the wounds it had suffered possibly during an attack by another rhino inside the sanctuary.

Mahanta said, “the severe injuries it had suffered pushed it into a condition of trauma and it died despite the best possible treatment provided.”

The rhino was later disposed off at a place in the zoo itself.

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