GPS radio tracks Chitwan rhino births

CHITWAN, Aug 5: Fifteen-year-old Sainli, a female rhino, gave birth to a male calf at Chitwan National Park (CNP) around 10 days ago, according to information gathered by park officials from the GPS radio collar installed in Sainli´s body.



Both the mother and calf are healthy, according to Narendramanbabu Pradhan, the park´s chief conservation officer. [break]



Installing the GPS collars has made it possible to monitor calf births in the park, according to officials. The park currently has eight newborn calves in total. In the past two months, two other female rhinos -- Rosy and Poke -- also gave birth to calves, according to Naresh Subedi, chief of National Nature Conservation Trust. Rosy also gave birth to male calf, while the gender of Poke´s calf is yet unknown.



Meanwhile, Sainli´s calf crossed the Rapti River just 10 days after taking birth and reached Sauraha, according to Subedi.



Earlier this year, GPS systems were installed in the bodies of three one-horned rhinos as an experiment to assist conservation efforts, especially by controlling poaching.



The rhinos´ activities are being monitored through GPS system, Subedi said.



Though officials had planned to install the systems in the bodies of eight rhinos in the first phase, the cost of the technology made it possible to install them in three rhinos only.

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