National
CNP without animal hospital; sick, injured animals at risk
According to the CNP, three rescued rhinos succumbed to injuries during treatment in the last three monthsShiva Puri
Treating injured wild animals has become a major challenge for the Chitwan National Park authority as it lacks wildlife hospital.
Assistant Conservation Officer Nurendra Aryal said whenever they rescue an injured animal, they are unable to administer timely and proper medical care.
“We are never sure if the animal is going to survive with the basic treatment the park can offer,” he added.
Although the then Forest Minister Mahesh Acharya had laid the foundation stone for the construction of animal hospital in February, 2015, the project never took off.
“We don’t know why the construction of the hospital was halted. It is for the Ministry of Forest and Soil Conservation to say,” said Aryal.
According to the CNP, three injured one-horned rhinos have died while undergoing treatment in the last three months. Fourteen rhinos had died last year. Most of them injured in the attacks of other wild animals had died during treatment. Abhinaya Pathak, the sector chief of the CNP in Sauraha, said they do not have a proper place to administer treatment to the injured animals.
“There is a high risk of infection and many animals have died of festered wounds,” he said. “We could save many animals if there was a proper hospital for animals.”
Around 150 wounded or sick animals and birds are rescued by the CNP authority in a given year. They are treated by a group of health team, led by veterinarian Kamal Gaire. Conservationist Basu Bidari said the CNP authority should take an initiative to complete the construction of animal hospital building soon.