CHITWAN: Almost half the rhinos that died due to natural causes at Chitwan National Park (CNP) have been found completely decomposed.

As many as 41 one-horned rhinos had died due to natural causes since mid-July of 2018. Out of them 19 rhinos were found in a decomposed state. Due to the decomposition, it has been difficult to identify how many of them are males and how many females.

According to Gopal Ghimire, Information Officer at CNP, only carcasses of the dead rhinos were found which made it difficult to distinguish their sex. Some of the carcasses were found covered in fungi.

Ghimire added that most of the rhinos died in the previous year. "Roughly 22 to 25 endangered rhinos are annually found dead at CNP due to natural reasons," he informed. Ghimire said that they were able to find the decomposed carcasses of the rhinos after carrying out sweep operations in the current fiscal year.

As many as 26 rhinos had died in the national park during the last fiscal year. According to the recent census, there are 605 rhinos in the national park.