By Rhishja Larson •
September 22, 2009
Poachers have slaughtered two rhino in Chitwan National Park - bringing the total since January to at least nine.
Chitwan National Park authorities were dismayed to discover the carcasses of two greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) in the span of just ten days. On September 2, a male rhino was found in the Temple Tiger area, and on September 12, a female rhino was found in Krishnasar Community Forest of Nawalparasi.
Both rhino had their horns hacked out.
By Rhishja Larson •
August 28, 2009
Nepal’s Chitwan Buffer Zone hosted more than 800 people for the “Women on Conservation” event to mark the occasion of Teej - a festival of Nepalese women.
The “Women on Conservation” event was kicked off by Surdevi Community Forest User Group President lighting the ceremonial candle.
This lively theatrical competition was held at the Surdevi Community Forest User Group Office on August 23, 2009 and presented by Partnership for Rhino Conservation and Friendship Chitwan. A total of seven groups from the Chitwan Buffer Zone and surrounding villages participated in the program with songs, poems, and stories about wildlife conservation.
By Rhishja Larson •
July 27, 2009
Finally, a bit of good news about wild tigers.
In Nepal, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (in coordination with the WWF and the National Trust for Nature Conservation) has released an estimated population of critically endangered tigers and snow leopards. And, the tiger population has increased in Chitwan National Park.
According to The Himalayan Times:
It said that there were a total of 121 adult tigers spread over the four protected areas, with the highest number in the Chitwan National Park with 91 tigers. Bardiya National Park, Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve and Parsa Wildlife Reserve were estimated to have 18, eight and four tigers respectively. Similarly, the estimated population of snow leopards is 300-400 in the Himalayan region.
The tiger census was conducted from December 2008 - March 2009, using data collected from camera traps and tiger footprints.
The Chitwan National Park tiger census in 2000 determined the population to be around 60 adult tigers.
