CHITWAN: The Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of Nepal Police has apprehended nine individuals suspected of fatally attacking two rhinoceroses within Chitwan National Park (CNP).

The lifeless bodies of an 18-year-old and a 6-year-old rhino were discovered in separate pits on November 16.

Police investigations revealed that an organized group launched an assault on a rhino approximately 3.5 kilometers southeast of Chhapparchuli post in the eastern sector of Chitwan National Park.

The apprehended individuals include Shamsher Thing (47) from Makwanpur, Arjun Roka (27) from Rolpa, Aite Singh Moktan alias Pasang (43) from Rapti Municipality-11 in Chitwan, Ramesh Khati (33) Makwanpur, Sitaram Thing (58), and Dhan Bahadur Gurung from Makawanpur.

Bhim Tamang and Unsingh Syangtan, identified as rhino poachers, were among those arrested. CNP’s Chief Conservation Officer Dil Bahadur Purja disclosed that CIB would make the arrestees public on Thursday.

Both female rhinos were found hornless, prompting investigations by CIB and CNP. To delve deeper into the incident, an inquiry committee, led by Department of National Park and Wild life Conservation’s Deputy Director General Bed Kumar Dhakal, has been formed and is actively investigating the matter.