Of the five rhinos that were recently moved to the Babai Valley of the Bardiya National Park (BNP) from Chitwan National Park (CNP), one has reached has reached Shivapur, around 30 kilometres from the Babai Valley. 

Five rhinos were brought to the BNP from CNP a week ago as part of government’s rhino relocation plan. 

Ramesh Kumar Thapa, acting chief conservation officer of the BNP, said two rhinos were located at Chepang and two were seen at Sodhkhola forests.

“One rhino has reached Shivapur, 30 kilometers south-west of Babai the Valley,” said Thapa. “We are trying to figure out why the beast left the valley as it is the most suitable place for rhinos.” 

BNP officials informed that they can locate the exact whereabouts of the rhinos as they have been fitted with GPS-enabled device. 

As per the government plan, at least 30 rhinos will be shifted to the BNP from the CNP in the next three years. Sources said, each year 10 rhinos will be moved to the BNP. 

In 1984, rhinos were brought to the BNP from the CNP for the first time. But during the decade-long Maoist insurgency, 36 rhinos were killed by poachers while 24 died of natural causes in the Babai Valley. However, the incident gave rise to suspicions whether the Babai Valley was safe for rhinos.  

 BNP officials, however, claimed that the BNP is safe for rhinos because there has not been a single rhino poaching incident since 2007.