Kathmandu: Two elephant calves born at the Elephant Breeding and Training Centre in Khorsor, Chitwan National Park, will be sent to Qatar on December 17.
The calves, named Rudrakali (seven years old) and Khagendra Prasad (six years old), were raised and trained at the centre and are currently sheltered at Sauraha Hattisar. According to Dr Haribhadra Acharya, Information Officer of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, the elephants will be flown to Qatar via a chartered cargo plane from Bhairahawa International Airport.
Preparations are underway to transport the calves from Sauraha to Bhairahawa a day earlier, following coordination with the flight schedule and assessment of road conditions. The elephants will be kept at the zoo of Al Khor Park in Doha.
Two mahouts, led by park animal technician Dinesh Dhakal, will accompany the calves to Qatar and return after ensuring their proper management.
Nepal has previously gifted wildlife, including one-horned rhinoceroses and elephants, to friendly countries to strengthen bilateral relations and highlight the country’s biodiversity. However, Acharya said this will be the first time Nepal is gifting elephants to another country.
Established in 2044 B.S., the Elephant Breeding and Training Centre has so far bred 68 elephants, of which six have died, while 61 have been trained. Since 1985, Nepal has gifted 26 rhinos, 10 tortoises, one wolf and two leopards to various countries.
Nepal had pledged to gift elephants to Qatar during the official visit of then President Bidya Devi Bhandari in 2018.
(RSS)
