Rhino census deferred to next year amid budget constraints
Summary
Nepal's national rhinoceros census has been postponed to next year due to budget constraints, with preparations underway to introduce a DNA-based genetic counting method.
Key Points
- The national rhinoceros census in Nepal has been deferred to next year owing to budget constraints.
- The census is conducted every four years by the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and was also postponed last year.
- A genetic method involving DNA analysis of rhino dung samples is being prepared for counting rhinos.
- The genetic approach is considered safer and cost-effective compared to previous direct counting methods, which were expensive and labour-intensive.
