Chitwan, January 31
Although the country is celebrating no rhino poaching for the past three consecutive years, 17 rhinos have died in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in the first six months of this fiscal year (mid-July-mid-January), officials say.
The officials, however, blame other causes like natural death, rhino-fighting and delivery complications in the death of rhinos.
The figure is down as compared to the 25 deaths of rhinos in the CNP in the last fiscal year due to various reasons except poaching.
Of them, four rhinos including two babies died after being swept away in a flood, while a baby rhino was devoured by a tiger, says Information Officer at the CNP, Nurendra Aryal.
Although the average life expectancy of a rhino is 50 years, it grows weaker mentally and physically after crossing the age of 30. Most of the deceased rhinos belonged to the 30-35 age group.
According to the 2015 census, the CNP and a forest area in the area had a total of 605 rhinos.
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