Chitwan: 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 causes, it has not been poached.
According to National News Agency Nepal, Information Officer of the CNP, Abinas Thapa Magar, detailed that poachers killed two rhinos at the Chaparchuli area under the eastern sector of the Park on November 16, 2023. Following this incident, the CNP arrested nine people for their involvement in killing the rhinos and made them public.
Since the arrests, the poaching of rhinos has not taken place as the CNP has been implementing further changes in its security strategy. Twenty-four rhinos have been found dead so far in the current fiscal year, all due to natural causes, including attacks by tigers, crocodiles, illness, and old age.
In the previous fiscal year, a total of 21 rhinos died, with 18 succumbing to natural causes and two to poaching. Magar also shared that 22 rhinos died in Chitwan National Park during fiscal year 2079/80 BS, with one death attributed to poaching. Previously, the park celebrated after a poaching-free period of 1,071 days.
As per the 2021 census, the population of rhinos in Nepal is 752, with Chitwan National Park home to the highest number of one-horned rhinos at 694.