Rhino Wars - Kaziranga National Park - India

INDIA - 2010/01/26: Kaziranga National Park is one of the last refuges for the single horned rhinoceros which have remained endangered since the early 1900s. At that point there were only around 200 animals left, but concerted effort to protect the species has allowed some repopulation which means that this nature reserve now holds two thirds of the Earths remaining 2500 single horned rhinos. The park is also rich in bird life, elephants, deer, jackals and gaur (Indian bison) and even tigers. However in Kaziranga National Park there is a war going on between poachers who are hunting the extremely endangered single-horned rhinos and the Park Rangers. The poachers who kill the rhinos just for the horn, offer armed resistance when they are caught hunting by the Rangers. The Rangers are “licensed to kill” - literally. Tourists can visit the reserve when accompanied by Park Rangers, but anyone else is considered an illegal or a poacher and is shot on sight. There have been cases of summary executions, poachers caught and made to kneel down and shot in the back of the head. Part of the problem is the poverty of the farmers in the nearby villages who are faced with the threat or encroachment by elephants, tigers rhinos and buffaloes who destroy their crops. They often help or even guide the poachers for small payments. Rangers feel that until the local population is committed to conserving the wildlife the violence and killings will continue.. (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images)
INDIA - 2010/01/26: Kaziranga National Park is one of the last refuges for the single horned rhinoceros which have remained endangered since the early 1900s. At that point there were only around 200 animals left, but concerted effort to protect the species has allowed some repopulation which means that this nature reserve now holds two thirds of the Earths remaining 2500 single horned rhinos. The park is also rich in bird life, elephants, deer, jackals and gaur (Indian bison) and even tigers. However in Kaziranga National Park there is a war going on between poachers who are hunting the extremely endangered single-horned rhinos and the Park Rangers. The poachers who kill the rhinos just for the horn, offer armed resistance when they are caught hunting by the Rangers. The Rangers are “licensed to kill” - literally. Tourists can visit the reserve when accompanied by Park Rangers, but anyone else is considered an illegal or a poacher and is shot on sight. There have been cases of summary executions, poachers caught and made to kneel down and shot in the back of the head. Part of the problem is the poverty of the farmers in the nearby villages who are faced with the threat or encroachment by elephants, tigers rhinos and buffaloes who destroy their crops. They often help or even guide the poachers for small payments. Rangers feel that until the local population is committed to conserving the wildlife the violence and killings will continue.. (Photo by Jonas Gratzer/LightRocket via Getty Images)
Rhino Wars - Kaziranga National Park - India
PURCHASE A LICENSE
How can I use this image?
$499.00
USD

DETAILS

Restrictions:
Contact your local office for all commercial or promotional uses.
Credit:
Jonas Gratzer / Contributor
Editorial #:
158661228
Collection:
LightRocket
Date created:
January 26, 2010
Upload date:
License type:
Release info:
Not released. More information
Source:
LightRocket
Object name:
jog02016
Max file size:
5000 x 3327 px (16.67 x 11.09 in) - 300 dpi - 6 MB