270-310, estimate, cf. Laurie 1978
81-108, helicopter census, cf. Caughley 1969
about 100, estimate
358-376, census by photos, cf. Dinerstein & Price 1991
25 from Chitwan, 4 poached in 1992/93.
13 from Chitwan, 3 to India, 1 killed.
Map of park.
expanded to an area of 968 km2
38 animals from Chitwan to Bardia, Nepal.
440-460, ground census, cf. Yonzon 1994 [Yonzon, P.B., 1994. Count Rhino ?94. The department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu. Unpublished Report.]
450
400, estimate, cf. Stracey 1957
365, counted.
165, estimate
A large area of lowland in the more remote SW corner of Nepal.
Map
1993, National Parks dept. had 256 staff in Chitwan NP, including 150 workers for 50 domestic elephants, with 1 warden, 3 assistant wardens, 10 rangers, 12 senior game scouts, 60 game scouts. They carry no gun. In 1992, two anti-poaching units were created, one in the east and one in the west (incl. Bandarjhoola island). Each unit has 6 men: a senior game scout, 2 other staff and 3 villagers. They are a success in collecting information.
the Gainda Gasti was amalgated with the Forest Guards, now called Armed Forest Guards, prmary job is to protect trees outside the park.
Reasons for increase in poaching in 1992-1993 1. The prices in rupees for rhino horn rose in Nepal, and some tiger poachers then switched to rhino. 2. With new democratic government, it became harder to convict a poacher. The National Parks Dept. has list of 80 identified poachers, who cannot be convicted due to lack of evidence. 3. New democracy led to conflicts amongst government staff. Also, four different Director Generals of National Parks have been in office 1991-1993, which disrupts policies and continuity. Staff was reduced in numbers. 4. Poor leadership is the main reason for increased poaching.
Poachers have thus killed average of 4.7 rhino per year 1984-1993. Most poachers are from the Tharu and Tamang tribes. Sometimes they are organized by a local leader who will provide them with guns and ammunition. Gang membership varies from 2-3 for shooting or snaring, 5-6 for pit-digging, but sometimes has over 10 people. Poaching pressure is highest along the floodplain of the Rapti River, the Tamma Tal and on Bandarjhoola island.
Poaching after 1973, after Reports by Dept. of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal) In Chitwan N.P. In Chitwan valley outside Park 1973 5 1980 0 1987 0 1973 2 1980 0 1987 0 1974 2 1981 0 1988 3 1974 2 1981 0 1988 0 1975 0 1982 0 1989 1 1975 1 1982 0 1989 0 1976 2 1983 0 1990 3 1976 0 1983 0 1990 1 1977 0 1984 0 1991 1 1977 0 1984 4 1991 1 1978 0 1985 0 1992 17 1978 0 1985 2 1992 1 1979 0 1986 3 1993 4 1979 0 1986 0 1993 4
60, minimum, cf. Gee 1959
Poachers arrested. 1991 - 8, 1992 - 0, 1993 - 37 = in 1994 all still in jail awaiting trial.
72, minimum, cf. Talbot 1960
Made to a National Park due to its large numbers of ungulates and tigers.
800, estimate, cf. Willan 1965
300, estimate, cf. Gee 1959
120-147, helicopter census, cf. Pelinck & Upreti 1972
17 calves were born. Of all rhinos, by 1994 8 had been poached, 4 died of natural causes, 3 died of unknown causes and 1 was killed by tiger.
Recommendations, 1993. 1. A special Parks unit inside the park and a special Forest unit outside the park should be established to deal specifically with rhino protection. 2. The new anti-poaching units need guns and equipment if their tasks are to include effective patrol work. 3. Number of game scouts should be increased from 60 to 100. 4. More army posts should be set up in the western side of the park. 5. Army posts should have more walkie-talkies and transport. 6. Leadership effectiveness should be regularly checked. Frequent changing of Director General needs to be stopped. 7. Significant increase in funding for the intelligence system. 8. Publicity in local newspapers to state that price of rhino horn has fallen in the Far East. 9. Conditions for the villagers need to be improved.
December, a rhino was found injured. For 4 days 20,000 visitors came to see it, many of whom anointed its skin with vermillion powder, burnt incense sticks and offered fruit for the animal's well-being. Some spectators cursed the poachers, many prayed for its recovery. When the rhino died, the Forest Dept. cut off horn, skin and hooves, while the villagers took the rest of the carcass except the bones.
Poaching deterrents. 1. Good patrol work by army 2. Good intelligence systems. Until late 1970s, the King gave rewards of up to $400 for information leading to the arrest of poachers. An intelligence system was set up in 1984 but terminated in 1988 due to government cut-backs and difficulty of accountability. From 1991, the International Trust for Nature conservation has given about $45 a month for informers.
Before 1990, all horns and nail from dead rhino went to King's Palace, Kathmandu. After 1990, all parts are kept locked up in Kasara in the centre of the Park, or in Tikauli if they are found outside the park. On 1.1.1994 Kasala store had 30 horns, Tikauli store had 18 of total weight of 15 kg.
Punishment to poachers. 1993 April, punishment for rhino poaching was increased from 5 years in jail and/or 15,000 rupee ($326) fine, to maximum 15 years in jail and a 100,000 rupee ($2174) fine.
Gazetted as Wildlife Reserve.
First rhinos translocated from Chitwan. The forest guards patrol outside the park, the army inside the park. There are two army companies, 250 men each, in the west and in the east, of which 175 men in each compnay are available at any time. The Parks Department maintains one anti-poaching unit of 9 men (5 Parks staff and 4 local men), without firearms. There are also 60 game scouts patrolling with 9 domestic elephants, also without firearms.
Gazetted as National Park. A special ?Rhino Patrol' or ?Gainda Gasti' was established under the Forest Department to protect rhinos wandering outside the park. There were about 150 guards until Dec 1993.
The King stationed units of Nepali Royal Army (one company) inside the Park to enable staff to concentrate on park management.
Army contingent increased to three companies.
Army contingent increased to whole battallion, 800 men, under a Lieutenant Colonel. Due to leave and traing, 550 men work at any one time. They are divided in 5 companies stationed at 30 posts inside the park. They carry .762 self-loading rifles.
Pronounced a World Heritage Site.
Pit-diggers make large rectangular pits at night on a rhino's path. In 1990, in Chitwan NP over 50 pits were known to be dug, but only 14 animals were caught. Poisoning attempted by placing poison in maize and pumpkins. After eating this food, the rhino can take up to 5 hours to die, and often it cannot be found by poachers. Wire nooses and heavy spears suspended in trees. Rifles are the most effective weapon, and automatic ones have been commonly used since 1992.
Rhino damage around the park. Less severe than in Chitwan. 1989-1992, four villagers were injured, 1993 two were killed by rhino.
Bhaktapur, Nepal - stone rhinos At Bhaktapur near Kathmandu, two rhinos can be seen which were carved from stone several hundred years ago. (with photo by EB Martin)
covering an area of 932 km2.. About 23 % is grassland, 70 % sal (Shorea robusta) forest, 7 % riverine forest.
Realisation that only 300 rhinos remained and there had been a 70 % reduction in forest. His Majesty's Government of Nepal created a deer park in part of the Chitwan valley. Poaching and habitat loss continued.
1. Rhino population lives 7% outside the park boundaries. Old rhinos tend to wander out of the park to eat rice. Wild animals destroy 13.2 % of the crop each year. No compensation is paid. 2. Rhinos are dangerous to people. In 1993 one person was killed outside the park, 5 illegal grass cutters were injured in the park and also 1 park staff. 3. The soldiers treat the villagers badly. The villagers feel deprived of their former rights to firewood and fodder.
The Rana ruling family, Nepal's hereditary prime ministers, was overthrown. In Chitwan, many rhinos were shot dead illegally afterwards by Nepalese and Indians. Horns were sold in India. There was also massive human settlement due to a malaria eradication scheme and over half the area became agricultural land.
Number of rhinos killed by tiger in and around Chitwan Inside Park Outside Park 1973 2 1980 0 1987 1 1973 0 1980 1 1987 0 1974 1 1981 0 1988 1 1974 0 1981 0 1988 0 1975 0 1982 0 1989 2 1975 1 1982 0 1989 0 1976 0 1983 1 1990 0 1976 1 1983 0 1990 0 1977 0 1984 0 1977 0 1984 0 1978 0 1985 0 1978 0 1985 0 1979 0 1986 0 Total 8 1979 0 1986 0 Total 3 End
13 animals from Chitwan to Bardia, Nepal. They were released in the Karnali floodplain in the west side of the park. Three crossed the border into India, one was illegally killed .
25 animals from Chitwan to Bardia, Nepal. They were released in the eastern section, in the Babai valley. Four of these were poached in 1992/93.
1991-1994 provided money for information about poachers in Nepal.
Blood, is supposed to regulate menstruation Urine, is consumed to alleviate respiratory disorders Meat, is eaten either dried or as a stew to give extra energy.
1993, Nepal, average horn (700 g), paid to gang, Nrs 50,000-100,000 ($1087-2174) First middleman, Nrs 300-400,000 ($7042-9390)/kg Middleman, 1993, Nrs 550,000 ($11,224)/kg
Nepal. Meat is eaten either dried or as a stew to give extra energy.
1993, Nepal, 12 total, Nrs 4,000 ($87)
Blood Tarpan Ceremony. Traditionally, each head of State had to perform a sacred ceremony offering rhino blood from a newly killed animal to the Hindu gods, the Blood Tarpan Ceremony.
