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| Location: |
Asia - South Asia - Nepal |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Status |
| Species: |
Indian Rhino |
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In March-April 1994, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation of Nepal conducted a count in Chitwan. The resulting census reports the presence of 446-466 rhino. The rhino population has increased at about 3.7 % per year from 1988 to 1994. A total of 23 are known to have been lost to poaching since 1988.
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Royal Chitwan National Park in the Terai, the southern plains of the Kingdom of Nepal, is now home to over 500 one-horned rhinos. Their numbers are up from a census five years ago which put the rhino population in the park at 466. Wildlife officials claim that there are as many as 600 rhinos currently in Chitwan National park. Including 52 rhinos in Royal Bardia National Park in the western Nepal, officials put the total rhino population in Nepal over 650.
Covering an area of 1,000 square kilometers, Royal Chitwan National Park was established in 1973, with fewer than 80 rhinos. A government policy of substantial financial investment and strict conservation strategy resulted in an increased rhino population. The census being conducted after five years is expected to come up with the exact number of rhinos roaming the park. Many experts say that rising rhino population can not be sustained in the limited area of Chitwan National Park, and the rhino habitat there is shrinking. Congestion is considered one of the causes of this year's rhinos death toll. No scientific study has been carried out on the sustainability of rhinos in terms of territory and the number of animals in Chitwan. However, growing occurrence of rhinos outside the park and abundant number of them everywhere in the park suggests over-crowding.
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