India sets up rhino protection force Poachers have killed 11 rhinos this year in Assam's Kaziranga national park, while 28 have been killed by floods in the state. Rising flood waters have driven threatened rhinos to higher ground and into the sights of armed poachers. In the most harrowing case, one rhino was wounded last month and had its horn removed while it was still alive. Now the state government has established the Assam Forest Protection Force to clear poachers from the national park. Fifty troops have already been dispatched and another 50 will deployed by the end of the week, officials said. Poachers hunt rhinos for their horns which sell for high prices in China and South East Asia where it is falsely believed to have aphrodisiac properties. In Chinese medicine it is also regarded as a cure for fever, gout, and rheumatism. It has also been used on patients suffering typhoid, snakebites and 'possession by the devil.' Tests by Western pharmaceutical firms have established that rhino horn, which is ground to powder and dissolved in boiling water, has no noticeable effect on human bodies. It is made of keratin, also found in bull horns. Despite the scientific evidence, rhino horns remain in high demand and India's poachers have become increasing daring in the hunt for profits. Ashok Kumar, vice chairman of the Wildlife trust of India said information had failed to curb demand, but the new rhino protection force would reduce poaching. Poaching has been happening in the park and the floods have made it worse. The decision to send special forces is a welcome step and will bring the situation under control," he said.