CHITWAN: Police have arrested four individuals in Chitwan for allegedly killing a rhino with an electric trap.
The incident occurred at Bharatpur Metropolitan City-26, where the rhino was found dead in a snare set by villagers to capture wild boars that were damaging crops, including maize.
Chief Conservation Officer of Chitwan National Park, Dil Bahadur Purja Pun, confirmed the arrests.
The deceased rhino, a 13-year-old female, initially appeared to have died from natural causes.
However, an autopsy revealed that the animal had died from electrocution.
Pun stated that while the rhino’s horns and hooves were intact, any actions such as injuring, chasing, or killing protected wildlife are considered smuggling activities.
Two suspects were apprehended on July 23, followed by two more on July 25.
The suspects are currently in custody for an additional six days under the Act relating to Protected Wildlife Smuggling.
The Act prescribes penalties ranging from a fine of Rs 500,000 to Rs 1 million and imprisonment for terms between 5 and 15 years for those involved in such activities.
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