File
Chitwan, August 16
A handful of rhinos believed to be living inside the famous Chitwan National Park were swept away to south of the border, officials said as they launched an operation to bring the endangered animal home.
According to park officials, one rhino has been found dead while, two have been spotted in an Indian settlement. Similarly, four others have been seen near the border areas.
A park team has been visiting nearby Indian border towns in search of ‘Nepali’ rhinos, said information officer Nurendra Khanal. He added that the two animals were spotted around 42 km south-west of the park near Bagaha in India.
Khanal informed that the Nepali and Indian officials are in touch over the issue and once the Narayangarh-Butwal road section becomes operational, the rhinos will be brought home. Similarly, a rhino has been spotted in Nawalparasi’s Narsahi, Triveni Buffer Area and Balmiki Ashram, inside Nepal.
Meanwhile, park officials are yet to take stock of the damage caused by the flash floods that hit the area on Friday. Dozens of animals are expected to have died in the flood.
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