GUWAHATI, Feb 6 � Expressing grave concern over the unprecedented spurt in rhino poaching in Kaziranga National Park, WWF-India has urged the State Government to put in place a strong intelligence network since the existing methods of controlling poaching were not working.
In what has been a most disturbing development, poachers are increasingly using sophisticated weapons to kill the rhinos. Many of the rhinos killed this year in the State were gunned down by AK rifles.
�WWF-India believes that intelligence networks need to be strengthened and a dedicated wing set up for the same if necessary. As wildlife crime increasingly involves organized networks, better coordination among the different enforcement agencies is needed to tackle them,� WWF-India said in a statement.
Calling for capacity building and preparedness to tackle the situation among the frontline staff, especially of the new recruits who often put their lives on the line in tackling well-armed poachers but are hampered by lack of necessary training and access to the latest equipment, it said that preference should be given to posting only those staff that are experienced in rhino or wildlife issues as rangers in rhino bearing areas.
�In addition, use of scientific protocols like SMART patrolling and other modern management techniques need to be implemented in the Protected Areas (PAs), it added.
Yet another rhino was killed in Kaziranga yesterday, taking the toll of poaching-induced rhino fatalities to eight this year � apart from the translocated rhino killed in Manas National Park on January 13. In 2012, Assam lost a total of 21 rhinos to poachers.