Motihari: Known to be home to a number of wild animals, including tigers, the Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran has a new guest.

Straying from the neighbouring Nepal, a rhinoceros has entered the VTR territory, taking the tally to two in the forest area.

Divisional forest officer, VTR, Gaurav Ojha said the forest was keeping a close tab on the movement of the rhinoceros after it was spotted a couple of days back. "It appears to have come in the VTR territory from Chitwan National Park in Nepal," said Ojha.

The rhinoceros was first spotted in Chunabhatta forests of VTR on August 11. Soon after, a team of forest officials, including Indian Forest Service officers Abhishek Kumar and Pradyuman Gaurav, started monitoring the rhinoceros. "The possibility of movement of more rhinos during the flood cannot be ruled out," Ojha added.

Last year, 11 rhinos strayed into VTR from Chitwan National Park. "Ten of those were rescued and returned to Nepal, while the other remained in the VTR," said Ojha.

Chitwan National Park is a preserved area in the Terai lowlands of south-central Nepal. Known for home to rare mammals such as the one-horned rhinos and Bengal tigers, the park shelters numerous bird species, including the giant hornbill.