Chitwan, August 14

A rhino that was swept away by flood in the Rapti River at Chitwan National Park has been found dead, while two other rhinos, also washed away by the swollen river, have been rescued alive.

According to Assistant Conservation Officer at CNP Nurendra Aryal, the rhino was found dead at Thokar Narsingh of Gandak Barrage in Nawalparasi today morning.

Aryal informed that the rhino, approximately two years old, had been taken to the Sector Forest Office, Bardaghat. After post-mortem, its horn and hoofs will be extracted and the body will be buried, he added. “As the rhino’s body was recovered from within the domain of District Forest Office, Nawalparasi, the body has been handed over to the office,” said Aryal. Aryal also confirmed that two other rhinos washed away by the swollen river were rescued alive from Tribeni area in Nawalparasi district.  “As rhinos can easily swim, they saved their lives and moved to a nearby forest,” said Aryal.

Locals said they spotted several animals, such as wild boars, chital and chitri,  being swept away by floods. Several parts of the CNP have submerged in floodwaters. As many as 15 security posts at CNP were relocated yesterday due to the flooding.