Anjali, Pushpa thriving in Koshi Tappu [In Pictures]

ITAAHRI: Two female rhinos, named Pushpa and Anjali, were relocated from Chitwan National Park to Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve in September 2023 to support population growth. Both rhinos are now adapting to their new environment in Koshi Tappu.

Pushpa, aged six, and Anjali, aged five, are thriving in the Patthari area in the reserve’s western sector. However, they occasionally show signs of restlessness, searching for a male companion.

Although authorities earlier brought a male rhino to Koshi Tappu from Chitwan National Park, it was returned as it failed to adjust to the new environment.

According to Jiwan Pokharel, chief of the reserve’s western sector, these rhinos sometimes break out of their enclosure in search of a male. “Once, they headed east and were found resting in a watering hole. At times, they reach the floodplains in the south or the riverbanks near Kusaha in the west,” Pokharel said.

Pokharel added that the male rhino was returned as it started roaming toward urban areas instead of staying with Pushpa and Anjali. “The male rhino, named Meghauli, was brought to Koshi Tappu on March 23 lst year, but was sent back just four days later,” he added.

Birendra Gautam, chief of Koshi Conservation Center under the National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC), said the two female rhinos have reached reproductive age. “We brought a male rhino six months after the two females arrived in Koshi Tappu, but it didn’t eat well and kept wandering into towns. Fearing it might fall ill, we returned it,” he added.

Raised around humans, these rhinos are generally non-aggressive but may attack if provoked while grazing or playing, according to experts. These pachyderms rely entirely on grazing, as the government has not provided supplementary feed. They graze all day in a grassy field in the reserve’s northern area. They are also given tree fodder.

Pushpa and Anjali are each other’s only companions. They graze in the morning, rest in water during the heat of the day, and prefer grazing at night while sleeping during sunny hours. From as early as 5 am, they roam freely within the reserve, returning to their shelter only in the evening. Sometimes herders have to coax them back.

These rhinos are also expected to boost tourist numbers in the reserve.

The rhinos were brought to Koshi Tappu after experts, following a study, stated that the natural environment in the reserve is suitable for rhinos. They have also said that the reserve could serve as a rhino breeding center as well.

Spread over 175 square kilometers across Sunsari and Udayapur districts in Koshi Province and Saptari district in Madhesh Province, Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve is home to several endangered wildlife, birds and plants.