A rhino was found dead in Gundrahi Dhaka Buffer Zone Community Forest located in Kawasoti Municipality-15 of Nawalparasi East district on Tuesday.

According to Ganesh Tiwari, information officer of Chitwan National Park, a technical team of the park found the adult male rhino dead. It is preliminarily estimated that the rhino died of natural causes.

The rhino’s hooves and horn are safe, according to the park’s authorities. The body has been sent for post-mortem and further investigation into the case is underway, said officials.

According to the national rhino census conducted in 2021, Nepal is home to 752 one-horned rhinos, and Chitwan National Park alone hosts 694.