English

Nepal hands China-bound rhinos

Narayan Dhungana/ Ratnanagar, Chitwan, July 12  : A couple of rhino to be gifted to the People’s Republic of China has been handed to the Chinese authorities amid a programme in the Capital today.

Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli handed the rhino couple named Bhadra (male) and Rupasi (female) to Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Yu Hong.

On the occasion, CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) permit was also given to transport the rhinos to China.

Besides, Nepal has gifted one horned rhinos to many countries earlier. Nepal has gifted a total of 26 rhinos to 10 countries so far, said Bed Kumar Dhakal, Chief Conservation Officer at the Chitwan National Park.
The government had decided to gift two couples of one-horned rhinos to China as a token of love. Another couple of rhinos to be gifted to China will be handed within next one month, said Dhakal.

Earlier in 1984, Nepal gifted four rhinos to India, and six to the United States of America in 1987 and 1990. Likewise, Nepal presented 16 rhinos as a gift to Germany, Bangladesh, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, Thailand, Burma and Pakistan between 1990 and 2006 (two each).

“Nepal is rich in natural resources and is home to many endangered wild animals. Such a trend of gifting wild animals to countries will help strengthen each other’s ties and protect wild animals,” said Dhakal.