CHITWAN, MARCH 18
Twenty rhinos have been found dead in the past eight months of the current fiscal year within the Chitwan National Park (CNP) and its surrounding areas, according to CNP.
The deaths were attributed to natural causes, including tiger and crocodile attacks, fights among rhinos, illnesses, and old age. This follows a trend observed in previous years, where natural causes have been the primary reason for rhino fatalities.
In the last fiscal year, a total of 21 rhinos died, with 18 succumbing to natural causes, two to poaching, and one death remaining unexplained. Similarly, in the fiscal year 2022/23, 22 rhinos died-20 from natural causes, one from electrocution, and one from poaching.
The Ministry of Forest and Environment had previously formed a committee to investigate the high number of rhino deaths from natural causes. In recent years, the mortality rate of rhinos due to natural causes has shown a decline.
As per the 2021 census, Nepal is home to 752 rhinos, with the CNP hosting the largest population of one-horned rhinos at 694.
The rhino census, which is conducted every five years, has been suspended this year due to a shortage of funds, according to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. The census, that was being carried out in collaboration with various donor agencies partnering with the park, is one of several projects affected after the termination of USAID funding.
(With Inputs from RSS)
