Relocation of Rhinos in Chitwan National Park starts today

Chitwan: The Chitwan National Park is relocating Rhinos within the park starting today. After the number of rhinos increased in the western region of the park four rhinos are going to be relocated to the eastern region.

A study was conducted a few years ago to assess the need and possibility of internally relocating rhinos. However, the work started only last year, and six rhinos have already been relocated. According to the park’s Chief Conservation Officer, Dr Ganesh Pant, all preparations for the internal relocation have been completed.

A technical team has started preparing to relocate rhinos from the Amaltari sector. The rhinos will be relocated using the park’s elephants, technical human resources, employees, and the army deployed to ensure its security.

Two male and two female Rhinos are being relocated. A study team formed by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation stated that 60 percent of the rhinos are in the western region and that their relocation would improve their habitat. The relocation is estimated to take two weeks.

According to the park’s information officer, Abinash Thapa Magar, the rhino relocation is also expected to help in reproduction. Three years ago, the department formed a study team under the leadership of Deputy Director General Bed Kumar Dhakal to conduct a study on rhino relocation.

According to the latest census, there are 752 rhinos in Nepal, of which, 694 are in Chitwan National Park. There are 38 rhinos in Bardiya 17 in Shuklaphanta National Park, and three in Parsa National Park.

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