Guwahati, May 9: A silent hero has taken her final breath in Kaziranga National Park.
K9 Karina, the much-adored German Shepherd who served as a sniffer dog at Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve for over a decade, passed away on May 8 due to age-related health complications. She was 13.
Trained at the Dog Training School of the Bhopal-based 23rd Battalion of the Special Armed Forces, Karina was part of TRAFFIC India and WWF’s elite Sniffer Dog Programme. Alongside her handler, Jitu Gogoi of the Assam Forest Protection Force’s 2nd Battalion, Karina was not just a tracker — she was a protector of Kaziranga’s rich wildlife heritage.
With a nose that could sniff out danger from afar, K9 Karina played a pivotal role in cracking numerous poaching and wildlife crime cases. Her track record is impressive: in 2023, she helped recover a .303 rifle hidden in Karbi Anglong; in 2018, she uncovered a rhino poachers’ hideout in Burapahar Range; and in 2016, she even helped nab a suspect in a human murder case.
Earlier this year, Karina stood tall with fellow canine comrades at the Republic Day Dog Parade held at Kaziranga’s Bagori Range, a proud and symbolic moment that celebrated their silent service.
Despite recovering from a major surgery in December 2024, Karina’s health has declined in recent weeks. On May 8, surrounded by those who loved and respected her, she passed away peacefully.
Her final rites were performed with full honours at the 2nd Battalion headquarters in Seekoni. Forest officers, patrol staff, and park personnel gathered to pay their last respects to a true guardian of the wild.
Also Read: Over 100 teachers to be trained as counsellors to tackle drug menace
Watch
Find latest news from every corner of Northeast India at hubnetwork.in, your online source for breaking news, video coverage.
Also, Follow us on-
Twitter-twitter.com/nemediahub
Youtube channel- www.youtube.com/@NortheastMediaHub2020
Instagram- www.instagram.com/ne_media_hub
Download our app from playstore – Northeast Media Hub
