Rhino found dead in rice field in Chitwan

A male rhino has been found dead in a rice field in Madi Municipality-2, Bhairavpur, located in the southern part of Chitwan. According to Avinash Thapa Magar, the information officer and conservation officer of Chitwan National Park, the rhino, estimated to be around 20 years old, died due to electrocution.

“It likely died last night. We were informed this Wednesday morning. The rhino was electrocuted in the rice field. We are investigating whose field it was and why this happened,” said Thapa Magar.

The rhino’s horn and hooves are intact and secure. Poachers often kill rhinos for their horns, but it is still unclear whether this was an act of poaching or done to protect the crops. Thapa Magar said an investigation is underway to find out the real reason.

Killing a rhino for any reason, including crop protection, is illegal under the law.

Last fiscal year, 28 rhinos died in and around Chitwan National Park. None of those deaths were due to poaching, but one rhino had also died from electrocution, according to Thapa Magar.