CHITWAN: Eleven rhinos have been found dead in Chitwan National Park (CNP) and surrounding areas in the current fiscal year.

Of these, two were killed by poachers while nine died due to natural causes, said Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the CNP Information Officer.

According to him, the natural causes of the rhino deaths include getting stuck in bog, ill health, fighting with each other, attacks by tiger and old age.

Tiwari said the male rhino that was found dead on the bank of the Rapti river in west Chitwan on Monday had died due to old age.

He added that the horn and hooves of the about 30-year-old pachyderm were found intact.