Chitwan, January 22
Two rhinoceroses have reportedly died natural death in Chitwan National Park (CNP).
A calf was found dead at the location inhabited by wild buffaloes at Purano Padampur while a dead male adult rhino was discovered at Dumariya.
The CNP Information Officer Lokendra Adhikari says the dead rhino calf of one and a half years of age was found on Wednesday. As no wound was seen on the body of the calf, it is estimated that it died due to cold.
The CNP says veterinarians are trying to establish the exact cause of its death.
Similarly, a 30-year-old male rhino was found dead at the park’s Belsaharghat area on Thursday. Adhikari says it might have also died due to natural causes.
The horns and the hooves of both the dead rhinos are intact.
A three-month-old rhino calf was found dead in a similar condition in Nawalparasi area last month.
In the past seven months, 22 rhinos have died in the park. Of these, four were killed by poachers, the park administration informs.
Patrolling has been intensified in and around the park in recent days after an increment in poachers’ activities.
