Chitwan, Jan 7: Nine rhinos have died in Chitwan National Park (CNP) and surrounding areas since July 17. These rhinos died in the park area, the adjoining community forest areas and nearby regions.
According to CNP information officer, Avinas Thapa Magar, five male and three female rhinos have died since Saun (July 17). He informed that the gender of one could not be identified.
He said that among the dead rhinos, one died due to an electrocution while the rest died due to natural causes. Magar said that the death of a male rhino was reported as recently as on January 6. According to him, the male rhino of approximately 35 years was found dead in the Kumroj buffer zone community forest.
“It is estimated that this rhino died in a fight with another one. The rhino’s horn and hooves were intact,” he added.
The CNP Information Officer Magar stated that rhinos die every year due to various reasons, primarily naturally, by electric shock, fighting among themselves, or getting stuck in swamps.
According to him, there are 694 rhinos in CNP according to the latest count.
