According to BNP officials, 10 of the rhinos will be left on the banks of the Karnali river and 10 others will be released in Babai Valley.

According to BNP Chief Conservation Officer Ramchandra Kandel, 74 rhinos residing in Babai Valley had died at the hands of poachers during the decade-long insurgency when the presence of security personnel guarding the  protected region inside the park was low. More recently, Kandel added, four of the park’s rhinos migrated to Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary.

BNP plans to strengthen the park’s security and manage rhino habitat to help in re-population.

The park authorities have already established security posts of Nepal Army at Deurali, Sod Khola, Chepang, Shivapur, Kalinara, Guthi, Thuloshree, Parewa Odar, Lamidamar and Baspani of Babai Valley.

Meanwhile, the rhino census underway in BNP is expected to complete within a few days. Park authorities estimate that 31 rhinos are residing inside BNP

currently.