CHITWAN: As many as 26 rhinoceros have been gifted to various countries so far from Chitwan National Park (CNP).

Chief Conservation Officer at CNP Ved Prasad Dhakal said, six rhinos have been given to America, four to India and two each to Bangladesh, Pakistan, Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, Germany, Britain and Austria.

The CNP record shows that four rhinos were sent to Dudhuwa of India for the first time in 1985. Lately, a pair of rhinos were gifted to Austria in 2006.

Two pairs of the endangered wildlife are being gifted to China after 12 years. With this, the number of rhinos sent to various countries till date would reach 30.

Elephants were brought from India, Myanmar and Thailand in exchange of rhinoceros before this.

Former Chief Conservation Officer Ramprit Yadav said that 16 elephants have been brought from India alone in exchange of rhinos. According to him, Nepal has been gifting rhinos to various countries for establishing cordial relations with these nations. He believed this could also help in increasing the rhino population.

Likewise, the ghariyal and magar crocodiles have also been gifted to various countries. Yadav said, "It would be a big achievement for Nepal if we could bring the giant panda from China in exchange of rhinos."