It's not every day that a rhino shows up in your rice paddy ... Staff at the IFAW Wildlife Rescue Centre were recently called out when a critically injured baby rhino was found lying in the backyard of a house in rural northeast India. Unable to move on its own, the three-month-old calf had suffered severe injuries from an attack by a tiger. After receiving some immediate medical treatment, the injured one-horned rhino was taken to the IFAW rescue centre for further care.
Despite deep, maggot-filled wounds on the calf’s head and legs, the young rhino is responding well to treatment, according to Dr Panjit Basumatary, a veterinarian who is leading the efforts to save the calf. The IFAW Wildlife Rescue Centre in India has dealt with 32 cases of displaced rhino calves to date, including three rhino orphans that were radio-collared and released into Manas National Park.
Tiger attacks on rhinos are not unheard of. Bengal tigers are known to prey on rhino calves and in some cases even adult rhinos make an appearance on the menu. Indian rhinos are listed as ‘Vulnerable’ on the IUCN Red List, while tigers are classified as 'Endangered'.
Header image: Yathin S Krishnappa
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