Chitwan, April 2

The government is all set to transfer at least five one-horned rhinoceros to Shuklaphanta National Park from Chitwan National Park from Monday.

Only two rhinos will be transferred from the CNP on the first day tomorrow. Of the five rhinos, four are female.

Last year, the government had decided to transfer 30 rhinos from the CNP, including 25 to Bardiya National Park. However, only five of the animals have been transferred to Bardiya and the same number of rhinos will be transferred to Shuklaphanta National Park starting tomorrow in the first phase.

According to Chief at the CNP Ram Chandra Kandel, they have set up camps at Sukhibhar area for the rhinos. As many as 30 elephants, 30 tamers, 30 assistants and 10 officials from the national park have been mobilised in the region from today, said Kandel.

According to Assistant Conservation Officer at the CNP Nurendra Aryal, tamers, assistants, national park officials, personnel from Nepali Army and Nepal Police, representatives from donor agencies, officials from National Nature Conservation Trust, World Wildlife Fund and zoological society representatives, among others, will assist in transferring the animals.

“The transfer of the rare species begins after offering prayers to goddess Bandevi at Hattisar camp tomorrow morning,” said Aryal. “We are preparing to transfer rhinos from the CNP to Shuklaphanta National Park and swamp deer from Shuklaphanta to the CNP,” said Kandel.

Earlier, at least four rhinos were transferred to Shuklaphanta National Park from Chitwan National Park in 2000. “We decided to transfer the rare species as all fundamental necessities, including meadows, water, and habitat for the rhinos are available at SNP,” he said.