Laudable Wildlife Rescue

Protecting wildlife helps maintain biodiversity, which is essential for the resilience and stability of ecosystems. Many nations have been struggling to conserve their environment and wildlife.  The rampant deforestation, poaching and environmental degradation have all pushed many species to the brink of extinction. Even developed countries are grappling with this issue. However, Nepal is among the handful of countries that have earned global recognition for its laudable conservation efforts. Nearly two decades ago, the state of the affairs of the nation's wildlife was in tatters. Wildlife endemic to the region, like tigers and rhinos, were poached to extinction. 

Galvanised by this dire state, Nepal introduced a zero-poaching policy and strengthened regional cooperation and wildlife crime control. The country's decades-long strategic efforts have now paid off generously: wildlife numbers have grown remarkably and forest cover has grown to 45 per cent of the total area. The number of tigers has tripled over the last 15 years. One-horned rhinos have also grown remarkably in number, as have others. The strategy to rescue and protect wildlife, including establishing protected areas, combating poaching, involving local communities, and rehabilitating injured animals, has been central to the conservation effort. 

According to a news story carried by this daily on August 7, more than 600 wild animals were rescued from various parts of Nepal during the fiscal year 2024/25. They ran the gamut: large mammals such as tigers and elephants, reptiles, birds, and snakes. If it were not for the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), the Department of National parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC), dedicated teams of Wildlife Rescue Team (WRT), the Biodiversity Conservation Centre (BCC) – all of which closely worked in tandem and partnership with local communities – this achievement wouldn't have happened.

In the Chitwan-Parsa Landscape, NTNC's BCC led the country's largest rescue effort with 113 operations involving 36 species, which include 12 mammal species, including seven Bengal tigers (6 captured, 1 released), 15 wild elephants (rescued for nuisance control, treatment, and radio-collaring), 16 one-horned rhinos (including orphans and those treated or radio-collared), six bird species, six reptile species and 12 snake species. These operations were conducted in coordination with national park authorities and veterinary experts. Many of the animals were released after treatment. 

Besides, efforts involved actively monitoring problematic animals and working with communities in high-conflict zones to promote wildlife-friendly behaviour to foster peaceful co-existence. In the Gaurishankar Conservation Area, 41 animals of 10 species were rescued, among which were the Himalayan Monal (Danphe), our national bird, which was handed over to the Central Zoo. Likewise, in the Koshi Area, 106 individuals from 11 species were rescued, including 30 pythons, 11 mugger crocodiles, 16 bird species, four turtles, one tiger and one elephant. In the eastern Tarai area, rescue operations were mounted for live rescue and the recovery of dead animals. Similarly, in Shuklaphanta, leopards, crocodiles, pythons and a vulture were rescued.

All these rescue efforts highlight two things: Nepal's rich biodiversity and the growing overlap between human settlements and wildlife habitats. As the wildlife grows in number, so do the human-animal conflicts. Shrinking wildlife habitat and dwindling food supply are contributing factors that force them to inadvertently foray into human settlements. Despite these challenges, these rescue efforts are crucial for conserving Nepal's rich biodiversity and ensuring the survival of endangered species. This also benefits local communities and, to a great extent, the national economy by attracting tourists who arrive in hordes to take delight in the rare species and wonders of nature.