KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 14
Two elephant calves born at the Elephant Breeding and Training Centre in Khorsor, Chitwan National Park, are scheduled to be sent to Qatar on December 17.
The calves, named Rudrakali and Khagendra Prasad, were raised and trained at the breeding centre and sheltered at Sauraha Hattisar. Rudrakali is seven years old, while Khagendra Prasad is six.
Dr. Haribhadra Acharya, Information Officer at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, stated that the calves will be transported to Qatar via a chartered cargo plane from Bhairahawa International Airport. Preparations are underway to move the elephants from Sauraha to Bhairahawa a day earlier, taking into account the flight schedule and road conditions. The elephants will be housed at Al Khor Park Zoo in Doha, Qatar.
According to Dr. Acharya, two mahouts will accompany the calves under the supervision of park animal technician Dinesh Dhakal, and will return to Nepal after ensuring the proper management of the elephants.
Nepal has previously gifted various wild animals, including one-horned rhinoceroses and elephants, to friendly nations as part of efforts to strengthen bilateral relations and highlight the country's biodiversity internationally. However, Dr. Acharya noted, this is the first time Nepal is sending elephants as a diplomatic gift.
The Elephant Breeding and Training Centre, established in 2044 B.S., initially received 16 elephants from India, two from Myanmar, and two from Thailand. To date, the centre has bred and raised 68 elephants, six of which have died, while 61 have undergone formal training.
Since 1985, Nepal has gifted 26 rhinos, 10 tortoises, one wolf, and two leopards to various countries. The decision to gift elephants to Qatar was first announced during the official visit of then-President Bidya Devi Bhandari in 2018.