Chitwan, April 15
Poaching of the One-horned rhino has not occurred for the last 516 days. Though rhinos died at Chitwan National Park and its surrounding areas due to natural cause, it has not been poached.
According to the Information Officer of the CNP, Abinas Thapa Magar, poachers killed two rhinos at Chaparchuli area under the eastern sector of the Park on November 16, 2023. “The CNP had arrested nine people for their involvement in killing the rhinos and made them public. Since then, the poaching of rhinos has not taken place as the CNP has been carrying out activities making further changes in security strategy,” he added.
Twenty-four rhinos were found dead so far of the current fiscal year and all of them died due to natural causes including attack of tiger, crocodile, feeling sick and old-age. A total of 21 rhinos died in last fiscal year. Of them, 18 died of natural cause while two due to poaching, he added. Magar shared that 22 rhinos died in the Chitwan National Park in fiscal year 2079/80 BS. Of them, one died due to poaching.
Earlier, a celebration was observed after poaching did not take place for 1,071 days. As per the census, 2021, the population of rhino is 752 in Nepal. Of them, Chitwan National Park has the highest number of one-horned rhinos which is 694.
