CHITWAN, April 24: The Chitwan National Park (CNP) has reported the deaths of 34 rhinoceroses in the past nine months of the current fiscal that began in mid-July 2021. Of them, two died due to poaching while the remaining due to other reasons. The park recorded the deaths of 33 rhinos last fiscal year. 

According to the park’s Information Officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, a significant number of rhinos died in fighting while some others died after falling into swamps and pits. Some deaths were due to aging and also from tiger attacks.  

With an increasing number of rhinos in the park, the deaths from other causes besides poaching are also on the rise, suggesting a prompt need for taking timely preventive measures. 

Deaths from natural calamities are high during rains. The park is aware of preventing the avoidable deaths of the animals, it is said. 

The western part of the park serves as a major habitat for rhinos and the deaths from natural causes are more in the area.

CNP’s Chief Conservation Officer Haribhadra Acharya said discussions were underway to transfer some rhinos from the west to the east with adequate management of water and vegetation.  

The latest rhino census shows that Chitwan is home to 694 rhinos followed by 38 in Bardiya, 17 in Shuklaphanta, and three in Parsa.

 
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