Nine arrested in anti-poaching drive in Nepal

KATHMANDU: Nine persons, including a soldier, have been arrested and security tightened in a drive to curb poaching after 11 rhinos were killed over the past ten months at Bardia National Park in western Nepal.

"In the coming days, security will be tightened around the National Park in order to curb poaching and wildlife smuggling," Annapurna Das, Director General of the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, said.

Security personnel have arrested a soldier and four deserters of the Nepal Army in connection with the recent poaching of two rhinos in Chitawan. The police had earlier arrested five other poachers involved in rhino killing and illegal wildlife trade from Bardia.

Fadindra Kharel, chief conservation officer of the BNP, had earlier said that a census conducted last year had showed that there were 31 rhinos inside the park, but now 18 to 20 were left.