Carcasses of two rhinos with their horns removed were found in Kaziranga National Park, taking the total number of the species killed in this week to four in Assam.
A female rhino was found with bullet injuries with its horn removed near Bahubeeel camp in Burapahar range, while a male rhino was found dead near Arikuti camp of Agratoli range, a Park official said today.
Both the animals are suspected to have been killed by poachers last night in the remote areas of the ranges.
Earlier on January 4, a male rhinoceros was killed and its horn taken away by poachers in the Park while on January 9 another, suspected to have strayed from Orang Wildlife Sanctuary, was killed, its horn and nails removed, near Laharia Char in Dhing area of Nagaon district.
Acting on tip-off from local residents, the police arrested a poacher yesterday for his alleged involvement in the killing of the rhino at Laharia Char.
The poacher, identified as Fujibur Rahman, is suspected to be a part of a five-member group, police said, adding that a hunt was on to nab the others.
Meanwhile, Forest Minister Rakibul Hussain said that they had information that militants were involved in poaching in Kaziranga National Partk and the help of the army would be taken to deal with the issue.
In 2014, altogether 28 rhinoceros were killed by poachers.
