Bardiya, May 20:

The census of Nepal’s one-horned rhino has begun in Bardiya National Park from Friday amidst rumours that their number is declining due to poaching.

The census is being conducted by the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation in association with National Nature Protection Fund, World Wildlife Fund, Nepali Army, Natural Trail Guides Association Bardiya.

According to a source at Bardiya National Park, the team spotted 29 rhinos in the park till today. Director general of the Department of National Park and Wildlife Conservation Dr Krishna Chandra Poudel said the rhino census kicked off at a time when there were conflicting views – one side claiming that the rhinos have become extinct and the other hotly denying that claim. The rhino census will continue for 14 days, he added.

Earlier, 13 rhinos were relocated to Bardiya National Park’s Karnali embankment areas and 70 more to Babai Valley region from Chitwan National park. Officials at the park are speculating that although some rhinos were found in Karnali embankment areas, most of those in the Babai Valley were killed by poachers.

Dr Shanta Raj Gyawali, director general at the National Nature Protection Fund and an expert on the one-horn rhino, said: “Rumour is that some rhinos are still there in Karnali embankment areas but poachers killed those in Babai.”