Kathmandu, August 27

Although most parts of Kathmandu Valley are occupied by concrete jungles, sightings of wild animals in human settlements have increased over the years.

According to Kathmandu District Forest Office, 2,464 animals and birds were rescued in the last five years from Kathmandu. It said 226 animals in 2012, 1,010 in 2013, 655 in 2014, 327 in 2015 and 246 animals in 2016 were rescued from various places in the Valley. As many as 22 wild animals were rescued in 2012, 30 in 2013, 27 each in 2014 and 2015, and 19 in 2016.

District Forest Officer Indra Prasad Sapkota said the Valley was fast turning into a hub for wildlife trafficking.

“Most of all animals rescued from Kathmandu were abandoned by poachers after failing to find a client. Leopard sightings have also increased as they enter human settlements in search of food,” Sapkota told The Himalayan Times.

Sapkota said DFO had mobilised sleuths and rescue teams to curb smuggling of wild animal parts. He said all the animals rescued in the Valley were sent to the central zoo or released in jungles.

Assistant District Forest Officer Utsab Thapa said wild animals accounted for 80 per cent of the animals rescued from the Valley. Kathmandu DFO rescued 37 leopards in the last five years.