End sought on rhino captures in Nepal

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This alarming decline in numbers in recent years has been due partly to poaching but mainly to habitat destruction through heavy overgrazing by domestic animals.

The Survival Service Commission and the SSC Zoo Group have requested the firm cooperation of the world's zoos in refraining from buying or accepting any rhino originating in Nepal until such time as the population has recovered.

Approval of government has recently been given for the establishment of a national park in Chitawan which will include most of the remaning rhino range. Agreement has also been obtained to prohibit grazing within the park.