Indian officials burn rhino horns to raise awareness of an illegal trade

Kaziranga is home to nearly 2,500 one-horned rhinos and is the world’s largest habitat for the rare animal. Despite the presence of armed forest guards, poachers still manage to kill some of the rhinos.

Thousands of confiscated rhino horns are burned to mark World Rhino Day in Bokakhat near Kaziranga National Park, India (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

Indian officials have burned about 2,500 old rhino horns to spread awareness of the need to protect the rare animal on World Rhino Day.

Dozens of Hindu priests performed rituals and chanted prayers as the leading Assam state elected official, Himanta Biswa Sarma, lit the fire on a large platform in a sports stadium near Kaziranga National Park.