Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Wednesday stepped up measures to protect rhinos in Kaziranga National Park from poachers, reported PTI. He asked Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police of Jorhat, Golaghat and Nagaon districts to take all possible steps to save the animals and keep poachers at bay.

He also urged the local residents to remain alert against poachers and asked them to identify poachers. His announcement comes after several of the animals have been killed in the national park this year.

“Saving rhinos from extinction must be taken up as a mission to protect them from poachers and we shall extend all possible support in this regard. Anyone linked to poaching of rhinos in Kaziranga National Park will not be spared,” Sonowal said.

Corrections and clarifications: The photo on this story has been replaced. The previous image mistakenly depicted an African rhino.