The pair of rhinos, captured by Chintwan National Park for gifting to China, will be brought to Kathmandu from Chitwan on Tuesday.
According Chitwan National Park Chief Warden Bed Kumar Dhakal, the rhino pair ‘Bhadra’ and ‘Rupasi’ will be brought to Kathmandu on July 10 in vehicle with cage. Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli and Forest Minister Shakti Bahadur Basnet will hand over the rhino pair to Chinese officials amid a special function at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu on July 12.
The rhinos are being brought to Kathmandu two days in advance as the Mugling-Narayangadh road have been witnessing frequent obstructions due to landslides. ‘Bhadra’ and ‘Rupasi’ will be flown to China in a cargo plane.
It has been learnt that special enclosures have already been made to bring the rhino pair currently kept inside pit buma in Chitwan. The same enclosures will be dispatched to China, Warden Dhakal said.
CNP information officer Narayan Rupakheti said the two caretakers and a veterinary doctor will be sent to China to take care of the rhino pair. He said the caretakers will observe ‘Bhadra’ and ‘Rupasi’ in turn for 12 hours. The Chinese government is funding for the travel and accommodation of the Nepali team. “They will return to Nepal only after the rhinos adapt to the new local environment,” said Rupakheti.
However, the CNP has proposed sending three caretakers from National Trust for Nature Conservation, one veterinary technician and CNP veterinary doctor Kamal Gaire. Officials said the government should take a call on the number of Nepali officials to be sent to China.
