In the fiscal year 2080/81, Chitwan National Park witnessed the death of 76 animals from 15 different species. Among these, the highest number of casualties was seen in the chittal population. According to Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the park’s Information Officer, two chitals died due to dog attacks, while 24 chitals succumbed to natural causes. Additionally, 21 rhinoceroses were reported dead, with 18 due to natural reasons, two from poaching, and one whose cause of death remains undetermined.
The report also includes the death of eight tigers, all of which were attributed to natural causes. Six of these tigers were found dead, and the cause of death was confirmed as natural. Furthermore, five elephants and four wild boars also died due to natural causes.
During the same period, two gharials were found dead, one from natural causes and one with the cause of death still unknown. Additionally, two mugger crocodiles, one wild boar, and one laguna were reported dead, all due to natural causes. Among the total reported deaths, 70 animals died from natural causes, two from poaching, two due to dog attacks, and two with unknown causes.
The park has also reported significant rescue efforts, having rescued 222 animals in the last year. The majority of these rescues were of pythons (141), followed by 33 snakes, 11 tigers, and 11 mugger crocodiles. Other rescues included six chitals, three rhinoceroses, two wild boars, two leopards, one tortoise, and one gharial crocodile. Nine other animals were also rescued during this period, according to Officer Tiwari.
