A rhinoceros was found dead in Parsa National Park on Saturday.

The park officials located the carcass of the rhinoceros some eight km west of Pratappur post in the national park.

According to Surya Khadka, information and assistant conservation officer, it is believed that the poachers killed the rhinoceros as the patrolling team deployed from the national park office did not recover its horn.

Officials say the rhino looks like an adult and is estimated to be killed some three months ago.

One-horned rhinoceros is an endangered species and is sought after by poachers for its horns.

Despite a significant decrease in poaching incidents in recent years, the number of rhinos dying due to natural causes, in-fighting, and other accidents has increased.

As per the 2021 census, Nepal is home to 752 one-horned rhinos. The country’s rhino population stood at 645 in its four protected areas in 2015.