Rhino Census Postponed Due to Budget and Tiger Count
Summary
The census of rare one-horned rhinos in Nepal, halted last year due to budget constraints and coinciding tiger census, will be postponed to next year. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation plans to adopt a genetic method for the count, primarily in Chitwan National Park, to reduce cost and risk.
Key Points
- The rhino census in Nepal is postponed again this year due to budget issues and the concurrent tiger census.
- The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation plans to use a genetic method involving DNA testing of rhino dung for future censuses.
- The genetic method is safer and less costly compared to the previous direct observation method involving large teams and elephants.
- In 2021, 752 rhinos were counted across Nepal, with the largest population in Chitwan National Park.
- Rhinos inhabit four national parks in Nepal, with genetic census method to be used primarily in Chitwan due to its large area.
