CHITWAN: Chitwan National Park (CNP) recorded the deaths of 83 wild animals in the last fiscal year 2024/25, according to officials. Among them, 45 animals died due to natural causes.
Abinash Thapamagar, the park’s information officer, reported that 28 rhinoceroses died during the year. Of these, 18 died naturally, three were killed in territorial fights, one died from electric shock, two perished in floods and landslides, and three got trapped in marshland. The cause of one rhino’s death remains unknown.
Among other major wildlife losses, one leopard and five elephants died naturally, while the reasons behind the deaths of two more elephants are still unconfirmed. A tiger was killed in a fight, and another tiger’s death is under investigation.
CNP also recorded the deaths of 12 spotted deer from natural causes. However, two were hit by vehicles, one was caught in a wire fence, and 16 died following dog attacks—highlighting growing threats to wildlife from human-related factors.
Other reported deaths included three deer, one barking deer (Ratuwa), two gharial crocodiles, two nilgai (blue bulls), one python, one jackal, one bear, and two other unidentified animals.
Despite the losses, the park also rescued 135 animals during the same period. The rescued wildlife included four rhinos, two tigers, seven spotted deer, three turtles, 37 snakes, 61 pythons, 11 mugger crocodiles, two gharial crocodiles, two vultures, one iguana, and three other animals.
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