A forest guard (i.e. ranger) in Orang National Park paid the ultimate price for protecting wildlife last week. Hassan Ali was found with two bullets in his stomach after being kidnapped by four men allegedly connected to poaching operations targeting the park.
One of the men, identified as Isha Haq Ali, was a member of the Indian home guard; another, known as Tajuddin, was a Mahout (elephant trainer). They were arrested along with Tajuddin’s father and brother for the murder.
According to officials Hassan Ali had learned that the men were involved in wildlife poaching and was working to stop their efforts.
Orang National Park is located in the state of Assam and contains approximately 60 Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), which are listed a Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List due to poaching for their horns. In 2009 Orang National Park lost six rhinos to poachers.
Rhino horns are in high demand in the black market as a traditional Chinese medicine, although scientists have found no curative benefits to consuming rhino horn.
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