Poaching flourishes in Nepal despite strict curbs

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KeralNext.com

16-April-2004

 

Conservation: Poaching flourishes in Nepal despite strict curbs

 

Kathmandu - Despite the arrest of 100 poachers in Nepal over the past one

year, the menace is rampant across the Himalayan kingdom, hindering efforts

at wildlife conservation and threatening endangered species, OneWorld

reports.

 

At least 28 rhinos died last year, 14 of them killed by poachers who export

the horns. In 2002, a whopping 37 rhinos were killed.

 

The horned giants are the most sought after by poachers, followed by

tigers, musk deer and leopards. Poachers reportedly killed at least five

tigers in the past two years.

 

The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) compiled

the number of deaths. It determines whether a rhino has been poached or

died of natural circumstances by checking if the carcasses have the horns

intact.

 

In an indication that poaching is increasing, in the last three months

alone, three of seven rhinos found dead did not have horns. Last month, an

anti-poaching unit discovered two male tiger carcasses in a wildlife reserve.

Nepal's wildlife reserves, including the Royal Chitwan National Park and

Royal Bardia National Park, are home to around 350 Royal Bengal tigers and

over 600 rhinos.

 

Experts caution the high mortality rate will drastically affect the animal

population in the long run.

 

Prahlad Yonjon, chief of the NGO Resources Himalaya, warned: " Since the

gestation period of tigers and rhinos is long, the high mortality will

hamper conservation efforts. "