Chitwan National Park officials have reported the discovery of four dead rhinos in the park and surrounding areas since the beginning of the Nepali festival season on October 18 (Kartik 1). The deaths were confirmed in various locations within the park.
According to Avinash Thapamagar, Information Officer of Chitwan National Park, a 20-year-old female rhino was found dead in the Dounnedewi community forest within the buffer zone of Madhyabindu Municipality, Nawalpur on October 22 (Kartik 5). Investigations revealed the cause of death to be natural.
On October 23 (Kartik 6), a calf and an adult rhino were found decomposing on Kolkata Tapu within the park, while on October 29 (Kartik 13), a 25-year-old female rhino was found dead near the Bhimle post. Investigations indicated that the female rhino had been trapped in mud, which led to her death.
“Since the start of this fiscal year in mid-July, six rhinos have died, one due to electrocution and others from natural causes. Including these recent incidents, the rhino death toll has reached ten in this fiscal year,” Thapamagar stated.
In a related development, the park authorities have detained ten individuals engaged in unauthorized activities within the park and buffer zones since October 18. Thapamagar reported that three individuals were arrested for unauthorized entry, four for illegal sand extraction, and three for fishing using traps. Legal action has been taken against them as per park regulations.
These incidents highlight ongoing challenges in rhino conservation and park security amid increasing human activities in and around Chitwan National Park.
