Chitwan, April 22

The Department of National Parks has launched an investigation into the growing death of the rare one-horned rhino due to natural causes in Chitwan National Park of late.

An investigation team headed by department ecologist Laxman Poudel has been entrusted with the task of studying and preparing a report on the alarming rate at which the  rare species are dying in the national park.

The team has started a field study.

According to probe panel coordinator Poudel, they are collecting data on the causes behind the death of rhinos, lab test report after the death of the species, study of the grassland, habitat, water sources, rivers and forests, among others. The probe panel has also taken necessary information from national park technicians.

Poudel said the team would submit a preliminary report to the department after necessary analysis of data and the report available in the national park. He said, “Meanwhile, when we conduct normal tests on dead rhinos in Nepal, we will send samples to a foreign laboratory as well. We have not conducted any profound study of rhinos following their death so far.”

He said of the total number of rhinos that died last year, four were said to have died of a disease. However, they are yet to confirm the disease and necessary investigation is under way. “We have launched an investigation as there might be various reasons for the untimely death of the species. Congested habitat and conflict among the growing population of the species, possibility of epidemic and polluted water, among others, might be factors behind the untimely death of the animals,” said Poudel.

Meanwhile, Assistant Conservation Officer and Information Officer Nurendra Aryal of the national park said that clashes, getting bogged in the mud, floods, preying tigers and failure to give birth to new babies, among others, might be the causes of rhino deaths.

According to him, as many as 269 rhinos have died in the national park since 1998.