Jorhat, Feb 15: A tragic incident occurred on Sunday when a Home Guard on duty lost his life, and another forest staff member sustained serious injuries due to a rhinoceros attack in the Kohora Range of Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.

The victim has been identified as Sahabuddin, a Home Guard stationed at a camp in the range, who hailed from Juria in the Nagaon district.

He suffered severe injuries from the rhino attack in the Bordoloni area and was pronounced dead upon arrival at Kohora Hospital while being transported for medical assistance.

Another staff member, Ramen Bora, was also injured during the incident. He received initial treatment at Kohora Hospital before being transferred to Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (JMCH) for more intensive care. His condition is currently being closely monitored.

According to Arun Vignesh, the Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Eastern Assam Wildlife Division, "At approximately 12 pm, a rhino attacked two of our personnel on duty in the Bordoloni area. We promptly dispatched a team to the location."

He further stated, "Sahabuddin was critically injured and was declared dead by medical staff at Kohora Hospital. Ramen Bora has been referred to JMCH for further treatment. We are currently tracking the rhino involved and evaluating the situation."

Forest officials have deployed teams in the vicinity to monitor the rhino's movements and prevent any further incidents.

Kaziranga National Park, known for housing the largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses globally, has seen sporadic attacks on forest personnel in the past.

In February 2024, a similar incident resulted in critical injuries to a forest guard and a Home Guard within the park.