Guwahati (PTI): Already in the list of highly endangered species, the one-horned rhinos in Assam's world famous Kaziranga National Park face additional threats during the rainy season - waters of Brahmaputra that flood the park.

Rhinos and other animals in the park move towards the national highways which are on higher level exposing them further to poachers, say park officials.

Less rains so far have been helpful as there are no worries but the park authorities are leaving nothing to chance and taking steps to protect the animals, they say.

Forest officials, NGOs including the World Wildlife Fund and several other organisations gear up to face the annual deluge as the mighty Brahmaputra creates havoc damaging infrastructure inside the park and forcing the animals to migrate to higher reaches making them easy prey for poachers.

"The annual exercise has already started with forest guards posted at vulnerable areas and barricades built along the border of the park to prevent the animals to climb on the national highway which runs along the park", says park director S N Buragohain.

Although not much alarmed by this year's effect of flood so far due to scanty rainfall, the park authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure minimum impact on the animals during the floods.