The fresh census of rhino population in Chitwan National Park has shown that the number of the endangered species has increased in recent times. The 16-day-long census, which ended on Sunday, found that there are 408 rhinos in the Park. This number is up by 36 compared to the previous census result three years ago when only 372 rhinos were counted. "There were 100 male rhinos and 130 female rhinos. We couldn't determine the gender of remaining 178 during the census exercise,' said Shyam Bajimaya, director general of Department of Wildlife Conservation. Because of increased poaching and other threats to the life of the endangered species, the census, which earlier used to be carried out every five years, had been carried out in three year's time. Bajimaya informed that of the total 408 rhinos counted, 277 are adults, 51 are adolescents and 80 are young ones. nepalnews.com sd Mar 24 08