Authorities have publicly disclosed the arrest of two individuals accused of poaching and killing two rhinos, revealed during a press conference. The police seized two rhino horns from the suspects in connection with the incident.
The unfortunate discovery of two dead rhinos, aged 18 and 6, in a ditch, approximately two kilometers southeast of the Chaparchuli security post in the eastern region of Chitwan National Park (CNP) on November 16, sparked an investigation. Law enforcement agencies, including the CNP, Nepal Army, and the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police, swiftly launched a joint inquiry into the matter.
The suspects were apprehended 10 days after the rhinos were killed, captured on November 25 from Rapti Municipality-3 in Chitwan. According to CNP information officer Ganesh Prasad Tiwari, the arrestees, hailing from Chitwan and Makawanpur districts, were intending to sell the confiscated rhino horns before their arrest.
In response to the incident, the Ministry of Forest and Environment assembled a probe team led by Deputy Director General Bed Kumar Dhakal, which conducted a field study and submitted its findings to Department Director General Dr. Sindhu Prasad Dhungana on November 28. The incident has raised serious concerns and worries regarding the loss of these endangered rhinos.
While Nepal has witnessed a significant decline in rhino poaching in recent years, with some periods observing zero poaching incidents, this recent event underscores the ongoing threat to the rhino population. As per the latest census, Nepal is home to a total of 752 rhinos, with 694 residing in the CNP alone.
