Translocated rhinos find new friends in Koshi Tappu

BY Bhakti Bilas Pokharel,Gaighat, Dec. 4: Two female rhinos named Pushpa and Anjali, which were translocated from Chitwan National Park just two months ago to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in Eastern Nepal, have started to enjoy the company of two male elephants named Koshi Kali and Kushaha Kali.

Pushpa and Anjali are allowed two hours of free roaming from 7 am to 9 am in the grass field east of the reserve office in West Sector Patthari Saptari. 

Durga Nanda Yadav, who has the responsibility of grazing the rhinos, said that aside from green grass, Pushpa and Anjali love Peepal, Khair, Swami, Mango, and Taki leaves. Yadav added that within the reserve area, specifically in the Kamalpur area between Triyuga and Moriakhela, has grass highly beneficial for rhinos. However, they have not been brought to graze in that area yet.

Yadav stated that the park administration has deployed a workforce, comprising a team of six individuals in positions equivalent to junior assistants, to care for the elephants. However, there is a shortage of manpower to take  care of rhinos, making it challenging to manage their grazing.

He expressed that every day, they accompany elephants and rhinos to the large forest for grazing. The reserve administration needs to recruit at least two human resources, as any absence due to illness or other urgent matters might lead to the rhinos going without food for the day.

This marks a significant government initiative of translocation of rhinos to the Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve, a key wetland in the eastern Terai renowned for its biological diversity, to transform it into the premier tourist destination in Koshi Province.

Federal Minister for Forest and Environment Dr. Birendra Prasad Mahato had handed over two female one-horned rhinos, Pushpa and Anjali, to the reserve. The ministry is working on creating habitats for diverse wildlife, including elephants, rhinoceros and tigers, although some tasks remain unfinished.

Ramesh Kumar Yadav, Chief Conservation Officer of the Reserve, mentioned that despite studies suggesting the introduction of male rhinos and the establishment of a Rhino breeding centre, these plans are still underway and not yet completed.

According to him, the Nepali government has decided to construct an electric fence in the Kamalpur sector. The plan includes relocating rhinos from the current rehabilitation centre in that area, and introducing male rhinos. This step is taken to advance the development of the site as a breeding centre for rhinos, as per the government’s decision. 

Within the triangular boundaries of Udayapur, Sunsari and Saptari districts, this reserve, which occupies an area of 175 square kilometres, is listed in the fourth category of the World Conservation Union. It has 587 species of water plants, 40 species of mammals including wild water buffalos, wild elephants, dolphins, pangolins and spiny babblers.

Chief Conservation Officer Yadav said that there are 726 species of birds, 141 species of fish and 77 species of butterflies, and the people of this region are excited about the addition of rhinoceros.

When the government established this reserve in the year 1975 with the primary goal of safeguarding the wild water buffalo, but there are only 63 wild buffaloes in the reserve now. However, the current population of deer has surged to over 400. The absence of large carnivores such as tigers and leopards has contributed to the increase in the deer population.

Representing the diverse ecosystem of Tarai Madhes in eastern Nepal, this reserve is an ideal destination for bird study and research. Urgency is stressed in establishing a secure perimeter fence around the sanctuary, a vital biological corridor for wildlife from eastern India, including Assam and Siliguri.