Female Rhino Found Dead in Chitwan Buffer Zone Swamp

CHITWAN, NEPAL — A female rhino was discovered deceased after it became stuck in a swamp adjacent to the Madhyabarti Community Forest in the buffer zone of Chitwan National Park. The death was reported on Tuesday morning, according to park authorities.

Conservation Officer Abinash Thapa Magar confirmed that the rhino had gone to drink water when it became entrapped and died. The park stated that the rhino’s horn and hooves were found intact, ruling out poaching as the cause of death.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by rhinos, particularly in buffer zone areas where natural hazards, such as swamps, pose a risk. As per the latest national census conducted in 2021, Nepal’s rhino population stands at 752, with a significant majority of 694 residing within Chitwan National Park and its surrounding areas, a testament to successful conservation programmes.