222 animals rescued at CNP; 76 dead

CHITWAN, July 23: As many as 76 wild animals of 15 species died at the Chitwan National Park (CNP) in the fiscal year 2080/81 BS. Most of them were spotted deer.

According to Information Officer at CNP, Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, two spotted deer were killed by dogs and 22 others died due to natural causes in the last fiscal year.

Similarly, 21 rhinos died in the same period. As informed, 18 among them had died due to natural causes, two were killed by poachers and death of one has yet to be ascertained.

Likewise, eight tigers had died due to natural causes.

Six barking deer were found in natural dead condition, he shared. Five elephants and four deer had died of natural causes. In the same period, two ghariyal crocodiles died. Death of one was due to a natural cause and the cause of another has yet to be ascertained.

According to Information Officer Tiwari, two marsh crocodiles, one wild boar and three other species of animals died due to natural causes. Of those found dead, 70 were due to natural causes, two by poachers, two due to dog attacks and causes for two deaths unidentified, he said.

Last year, the CNP had rescued 222 animals. The highest number of pythons (141) were rescued. Likewise, 33 snakes, 11 tigers and equal number of marsh crocodiles were rescued during the period. Among other animals rescued were six spotted deer, three rhinos, deer, boar and leopard (two each), tortoise and ghariyal crocodile.

Information Officer Tiwari shared that nine animals of other species were rescued in the period