Baglung, January 7

The number of Himalayan blue sheep has increased in Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve of late.

Currently, there are 2,202 Himalayan blue sheep at the reserve, according to the census carried out by the reserve this year. A total of 1,648 Himalayan blue sheep were found in the census carried out five years ago. The reserve counts the animal every five years.

The office had counted Himalayan blue sheep in six of the seven blocks of the reserve from mid-April to mid-June last year. Himalayan blue sheep is not found in Surtibang block.

Chief Conservation Officer at the reserve Ananath Baral said a total of 755 Himalayan blue sheep were found 10 years ago. He added that the animals were found in 83 groups in course of the census last year.

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation determines the quota for hunting the blue sheep on the basis of their number after census.

Permission is granted to hunt 12 mountain goats and as many Himalayan blue sheep each year. Foreign hunters are mostly attracted to hunting the blue sheep, which is found at an altitude of 4,000- 5,000 metres above the sea level.