Feature: Nepal relocating endangered one-horned rhinos amid protests

Nepal has been a happy home for 645 endangered one-horned rhinos despite global numbers of the magnificent creatures now facing extinction due to poaching and other human intervention which are now dwindling to just 2,500, according to the latest data.

The rise in numbers of the rhinos in the Himalayan nation, bucking the global decline, has been praised by conservationists in South Asia and beyond for its protection measures and enduring conservation efforts, although the endeavors are far from simple.

The Nepalese government has faced criticism over its relocation measures for some single black-horned rhinos, that can weigh as much as 2,500 kilograms, as some opposed to the move believe the new habitat may present some dangers to the already at-risk creatures.

The government is relocating five rhinos, two male and three female, from the Chitwan National Park to the Bardiya National Park this week in the first phase of a broader relocation plan, stating that the move is aimed at safeguarding the endangered species from disease, natural disasters and other threatening factors, and boosting the population of healthy rhinos.

Krishna Prasad Acharya, spokesperson at the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation told Xinhua "We are relocating five rhinos in the first phase starting from Tuesday to maintain population variety in the interests of their long-term survival and safety."

The relocation move comes following last year's ministerial decision to relocate 30 one-horned rhinos in total over the next three years.

However, locals, various animal rights organization and wildlife conservation officials have opposed the move, stating that the Bardiya national park, located in western Nepal, lacks sufficient security as a safe habitat for the rhinos.

"We are not against the transfer of rhinos, but we are against the location to which they are being transferred. Bardiya is not a suitable habitat for rhinos as poaching is high in that area. We need to check the past statistics", Basu Bidari, a conservation officer and a former chairman of the Nature Guide Association, told Xinhua.

As per government statistics, 83 rhinos have been shifted from Chitwan to Bardiya National Park since 1985. However, the latest count showed that Bardiya National Park has only 29 rhinos at present, sparking concern and protests from conservationists.

They are of view that the Babai area of Bardiya, the largest national park in western Nepal, poses a threat to the animal, which is listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as an endangered species.

Rhinos are regularly killed by poachers for their body parts and skin, especially their one-horn, which are worth thousands of dollars in illicit global trade, with their horns being used as traditional medicine in many countries.

But the government argues that the past deaths of rhinos were not due to the location or poaching, but due to the 10-year long civil war, that ended in 2006.

"During the civil war, areas of the Bardiya national park were occupied by the army and many infrastructures were damaged in the course of conflict. As a result, many rhinos died. But now, we have created and maintained a good habitat for the rhinos with new infrastructures," a spokesperson at Ministry Acharya told Xinhua.

The government is of the view that rhinos will be safer in the Bardiya national park as it has earmarked around 600 hectares of land and 10 wetlands for both food and habitat, along with more than 80 staff for the rhino conservation efforts.

Out of 645 rhinos, 605 are in the Chitwan National Park, 29 in the Bardiya National Park, 8 in the Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and three in the Parsa Wildlife Reserve, according to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.

Chitwan National Park, located some 150 kilometers from the capital city, however, is widely regarded as the most suitable location for the protection of one-horned rhinos in Nepal. Conservation experts are of view that the government should be concerned over the future of this endangered animal by halting the current relocation moves.

Bidari told Xinhua "It is not the time for relocations. It is time to work together to better protect this beautiful endangered species." Enditem