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Posted: 22nd January 2013

Capping growth of endangered species
Nepal tackles rise in wildlife attacks on humans

Nepal is planning to put a cap on the growth of wild animals, including endangered species, following a rise in attacks on humans.

Despite developing a successful protection programme for many endangered species in recent years, officials in Nepal have said they will now stop the growth of wildlife, including endangered tigers and rhinos.

The step follows a significant increase in loss of human lives from attacks by wild animals, a problem that is particularly prevalent in the "buffer zones" between human settlements and national parks.

Nearly 24 per cent of the country's land is protected, comprising national parks, conservation areas and wildlife reserves.

The number of rhinos has doubled to 500 in recent years at the Chitwan National Park, where more than 125 tigers also reside. Furthermore, the Bardiya National Park currently boasts more than 80 elephants – 10 times the amount it had in the 1990s – and the number of red pandas and snow leopards have grown in the Himalayas.

Nepal's authorities report that more than 80 people have been killed by wild elephants over the last five years. Aside from wildlife attacks on humans, there have also been numerous cases of property damage and losses, as well as livestock killings.

Krishna Acharya, a spokesperson for Nepal's forestry ministry, said: "The numbers of rhinos and tigers are increasing in the national parks and they are moving out in search of food and space. Meanwhile, the increasing human population needs more of the natural resources available, and that competition creates conflict."

Mr Acharya added that Nepal cannot protect more wildlife than it can sustain.

"For instance, we have said we will double the number of tigers to 250. But, as we cannot expand our protected areas, we will not be able to commit to more than that," he said.



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