KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 17
Two tuskers gifted by the Nepal government to the Qatar government were flown to Qatar on Wednesday.
The elephants, named Khagendra Prasad and Rudrakali, were transported via a chartered Qatar Airways cargo flight. Prior to their departure, the elephants were taken by road from Sauraha, Chitwan to Bhairahawa on Monday.
The gifted elephants departed from Gautam Buddha International Airport, Bhairahawa, aboard a Boeing 777 F Freighter Cargo aircraft, flight number QR 8824, at 5:00 pm.
The Nepal government had earlier decided to gift the elephants to Qatar during the visit of Qatar's King Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to Nepal on 23–24 April 2024.
Rudrakali and Khagendra Prasad, reared at the Sauraha-based Elephant Reproduction and Training Centre, were selected for the gift. Rudrakali, the female elephant, is seven years old, while Khagendra Prasad, the male, is five years old.
The elephants were formally handed over to the Qatar government at Bhairahawa Airport. Rajendra Prasad Mishra, Secretary at the Ministry of Forests, handed over the elephants to Khalifa Almari, Deputy Chief of Mission at the Qatar Embassy.
On the occasion, Secretary Mishra expressed confidence that the gifting of the elephants would further strengthen Nepal–Qatar diplomatic relations. Deputy Chief of Mission Almari expressed his gratitude and delight to Nepal for the generous gift.
(With inputs from Rastriya Samachar Samiti)