Poachers had set up camp close to CNP to hunt rhinos

BY BASANTA PARAJULI,Narayangadh, Dec.1: An investigation revealed that it took 20 days for poachers to kill two female rhinos by digging a hole in Chitwan National Park (CNP) during their latest attempt.

The hunters had dug holes to trap the two rhinos, which were discovered dead on November 16. The poachers had set up a camp in the vicinity of the park, engaging in both eating and drinking, as part of their illicit activities.

Rhinos' lifeless bodies were discovered in the park almost 20 days following the death of an 18-year-old female rhino and a mere three days after the killing of another 6-year-old female rhino. 

In relation to the incident of the rhinos being killed, Deputy Superintendent of Police Nabaraj Adhikari from the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB) of the Nepal Police informed that the poachers took 20 days to kill the two rhinos. DSP Adhikari, who is also spokesperson at CIB said that seven pits were identified during the investigation within a kilometer range inside the park, with two of them confirmed to be locations where rhinos had fallen victim to poaching.

After the discovery of two rhinos killed by poachers in the core area of the park, situated on the ridge of the Chure range in the eastern sector, a special team comprising the Nepali Army and the police, led by Chitwan National Park (CNP) itself, conducted a joint investigation. As part of the investigation process, it has been revealed that the poachers operated within the park’s territory.

"It seems that the poachers had been living inside the park for 20 days, after killing the rhinoceros, they came out of the park with their horns," Adhikari said. The investigation found that the bigger rhino died by itself after falling into the pit, while the small one was shot dead by the poachers.

A five-member investigation committee, formed by the Ministry of Forests and Environment and led by Bed Kumar Dhakal, Deputy Director General at the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, has submitted its report on the rhino killings to the department.

Dhakal stated that the park has achieved success in the effort against poaching, particularly addressing the specific challenge posed by the rhinoceros being targeted by poachers. 

“Within a week of discovering the dead rhinoceros, we have detained eight poachers, including the mastermind, the individual who executed the incident, and the middlemen linked to the poaching, placing them under investigation," said Director General of the Department Dr. Sindhu Dhungana. 

The poachers were arrested within a week and initiated legal proceedings against them in collaboration with the Central Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Department, the Nepali Army, the Central Investigation Bureau of Nepal Police, and CNP, the National Rhino and Wildlife Crime Control Unit, he said. 

The operation was immediately launched following the incident, resulting in the successful apprehension of the suspects, he added. People who have been arrested including Arjun Roka from Phagam-6 of Rolpa, Dhan Bahadur Gurung of Hetauda Municipality-5 of Makwanpur and Dhan Bahadur Syangtang of Lamatol, Bharatpur Metropolitan City-11.

From those arrested, the park confiscated firearms, which included a rhino-hunting rifle with an 18-inch barrel and 6-inch height, weighing 480 grams, and another rifle with an 11.8-inch barrel and 2-inch height, weighing 60 grams. 

Furthermore, two bullets, each weighing 480 grams and measuring 11.8 inches, along with other related items, were also seized.

In addition to the firearms, other items seized in the operation include a black bag, an axe, knife-sharpening tools, a slingshot, a torchlight, a black jacket, and various other items. 

According to the park, the arrested individuals were found in possession of two motorcycles - a Pulsar with registration number Na24Pa4234 and another Pulsar with registration number Na36Pa5501.