CHITWAN, Oct 13: A rhinoceros has been found completely decomposed in the western sector of the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in Chitwan district.
The carcass of the male rhino, aged around 30-35 years, was found in a decomposed state on the Narayani riverside at Bhalauji of Binayi Tribeni Rural Municipality in the district, according to the park’s Assistant Conservation Officer Ashok Ram.
19 out of 41 dead rhinos found decomposed
The herbivorous mammal could have died around a month ago in a fight with a fellow male rhino, said Ram.
The hoofs and horn of the rhino were however intact, said Ram, adding that as many as nine rhinos have died in the park owing to various reasons since last Mid-July.
The 2015 rhino census had put the number of rhinos in Nepal at 645. Among them, 605 were found in CNP alone. But given the alarming rate of rhinos’ death in the CNP in recent days, the park is mulling to conduct a study on the same, shared Ram.