Photo Courtesy: nenow
Guwahati: Doomdooma Forest Division officials rescued an injured Oriental Pied Hornbill on Saturday in Assam’s Tinsukia district. Local youths alerted the department after finding the bird tied with ropes inside a kitchen at Phillobari Rongpur Gaon. The bird was allegedly shot with a bow and arrow for human consumption.
The suspect fled as officials arrived at the scene. The bird, known scientifically as Anthracoceros albirostris, remains under medical observation with the Wildlife Trust of India. Officials have not yet determined the full extent of its injuries or recovery prospects.
Wildlife conservationist Devajit Moran condemned the attack and pushed for immediate consequences. "I demand legal action against the accused at the earliest," Moran stated. He emphasized that residents must report wildlife crimes to authorities to help stop poaching in Upper Assam.
The Oriental Pied Hornbill is a vital species that disperses seeds across forest habitats to support biodiversity. While the Wild Life Protection Act of 1972 forbids the hunting of protected wildlife, officials have yet to confirm specific charges or identify the perpetrator. Authorities continue to monitor the bird while investigation efforts remain ongoing.
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