Asia
Nepal reserve rhino census begins
Kathmandu, Nepal | May 22, 2007 12:01:13 AM IST
A census of the one-horned rhinoceros has begun in a reserve in Nepal after reports that dozens of the endangered animals are missing. The Bardiya National Park and Wildlife Reserve in the lowlands of the Himalayan kingdom had housed 83 rhinos since 1984, but officials say dozens of the animal are no longer on the reserve, ABCNewsonline reported Monday. The matter came to light after their sightings became less frequent, the report said. The rhinos had been taken to the reserve as poaching had put the animals near extinction. The census will be done by experts riding elephants through the reserve. The report said conservationists reported increased poaching after authorities were forced to close security posts in the park in the face of threats from Maoists rebels who targeted soldiers. The rebels have ended their decade-long rebellion under a peace deal and the security posts at the reserve are being reopened, the report said. The 368 square-mile park was established in 1969 as a royal hunting reserve, but was renamed the Bardia National Park. In 1988 it was extended to cover the vast Babai Valley near the Karnali River, about 400 miles west of Kathmandu. The huge reserve is also a sanctuary for other endangered animals and birds, including wild elephants and tigers. (UPI)
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