EPOW - Ecology Picture of the Week

Rhino Target

Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), Family Rhinocerotidae
Kaziranga National Park, India

Explanation:  Apologies for this unsettling scene.  

I was on a small boat in one of the back-channels of the Brahmaputra River in Kaziranga National Park in northeast India, when we happened upon the carcass of this spectacular denizen of these tropical forest environments.  This is a great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, a truly iconic citizen of these rare ecosystems.  

I was told that it had died of natural causes.  I then noticed that its horn had been severed and was missing.  I was then told that the local forest guards had done that, to prevent the horn from being taken and sold on the black market where it is worth a fortune.  

I must trust my wonderful Indian colleagues and guides, as I am on a formal scientific research exchange program with the Government of India.  

However, just from the visible evidence, it does seem equally plausible that this poor rhino had been indeed poached and its horn taken for sale on the black market.  Oh, such events do happen, locally, regionally, nationally, internationally, and globally.  

  

After a short time observing this deceased rhino lying
in the shallows of the river, there appeared several
long-billed crows eager to feed upon the new food source.
We motored on and left them in peace.
  

I cannot independently verify either possibility, but having spent time with local park and forest guards in this region, I can only attest to their immense capabilities and earnest efforts to protect and conserve such endangered species and their environments.  My praise and thanks to them all.