The Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve (SWR) has started translocating swamp deer, locally known as Barasingha, to Bardiya National Park (BNP) from Tuesday.

On the first day, two deer (male and female) were shifted to the BNP.

Bed Kumar Dhakal, chief conservation officer of the SWR, said they released two swamp deer at Baghaura area in the BNP on Tuesday.

The SWR plans to shift 10 deer (five males and five females) to the BNP in the first phase. But authorities said translocation of deer has not been easy. “We have been facing problem to trap them,” said

Dhakal.

Around 40 technicians are deployed to trap and shift the animals.

As per the decision of the Ministry of Forests and Soil Conservation, park officials plan to relocate 25 swamp deer to the BNP and Chitwan National Park.

According to the SWP, they will shift 15 deer to the CNP after the monsoon.

According to Dhaka, swamp deer are being translocated to improve their breeding. “We also aim to improve their survival rate,” he added.

The Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve, which is spread across 305 square kilometres, is considered ideal habitat for swamp deer.

The reserve has the highest number of swamp deer (2,300 as per last year’s count) in the country.