Nepal's one-horned rhinos at risk

An endangered species of rhinoceros is under threat in Nepal's biggest wildlife reserve after an upsurge in poaching. (Pic: Reuters)

Four of the animals were killed in the past two weeks in Chitwan National Park, which is home to the largest number of the animals outside India.

Demand from China for rhino horns, which are believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, has fuelled the resurgence of poaching.

A security vacuum created by Nepal's long Maoist insurgency has created the opportunity.

Last year a census in Chitwan showed the population of Indian Rhinoceros, also known as the Great One-horned Rhinoceros, had fallen to just 372, its lowest level in ten years, down from 544 in 2000.

Poachers appear to have whittled that number down even further with at least five more rhinos killed in July.

Gopal Upadhyay, chief warden of the park on Nepal's southern plains, said: "It is very serious and a matter of great concern. We are very much on full alert."

Laxmi Prasad Manandhar, a senior official at the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation, said poaching was the chief reason for rhino deaths.

The closure of smaller security posts in the park, and their merger with bigger posts - because of a threat from Maoist insurgents - had made it more difficult to police the park.

Maoist rebels had made poorly equipped small posts a major target of their decade-long insurgency to overthrow the monarchy.

But conditions had improved since the Maoists declared a ceasefire in April and opened peace talks with the government.

"We have already restored five security posts and more are being set up," Mr Upadhyay said. "We are also trying to get more involvement of the local community in anti-poaching drives."

Rhino horn fetches up to £5,200 per kg in the international market. Poachers also sell rhino horns, hooves and other body parts for traditional medicines.