CHITWAN, July 10: Two of the four rhinos, Bhadra and Rupasi have been forced to leave their natural habitat at Chitwan National Park and embark on a journey to Kathmandu and then, to China as gifts of Nepal. The remaining two remain in confinement.

The two rhinos will go through an arduous journey as they commute the landslide affected highway of Narayangadh-Muglin inside a dark metal box. The two rhinos will travel in two trucks, Na. 5 Kha 7996 and Na 7 Kha 1270. The first truck will ferry Bhadra and the second one will carry Rupasi, according to Bed Kumar Dhakal, chief conservation officer of Chitwan National Park said. “We’ll feed them with fruits and grasses during the journey. The rhinos will rest in Kathmandu tomorrow and leave for China the next day.”

The rhinos were kept in cages since early morning today. They were later lifted inside the truck via excavator.  Five conservation officers will accompany the two rhinos to Kathmandu and later to China. The team will consist of veterinarian, technician and three wildlife caretakers.

PM KP Sharma Oli had promised to gift two pairs of rhinos to China during his visit to the northern neighbor two years ago as Nepal’s prime minister. The number of rhinos gifted by Nepal to foreign countries now stands at 28.     

 
• adieu
 
• bhadra
 
• rupasi