Nepal's year of zero poaching comes to an end

Nepal’s run of zero poaching has come sadly to an end with the news a rhino was killed for its horn in the buffer zone surrounding Chitwan National Park. Nearly three months ago, in March 2014, we reported the fantastic news that no rhinos, elephants or tigers had been poached in Nepal for a whole year, the second zero poaching year in Nepal’s recent history. 

Becci May, Regional Manager (Asian species) at WWF-UK, said: “This sad case of a rhino being killed in Nepal highlights that poaching is still a serious threat and we need to continue working against the illegal wildlife trade. WWF in Nepal continues to work with the government, enforcement agencies, conservation partners and the local communities to tackle this horrific crime and we hope the next year can return to another year of zero poaching for Nepal.”

http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/Nepal-rhino-poached.html

Nepal celebrates zero poaching year

March 2014: Celebrations are running high in Nepal because for the second time in recent years it has achieved a major milestone in conservation, a zero poaching of tigers, rhinos and elephants for the period February 2013-February 2014. (The last time was in 2011).

At a time when tigers and rhinos are being rampantly poached around the world, this success it is a great reward for the country’s work and commitment to combating wildlife crime, and resounds hope for wildlife.

“The success of achieving zero poaching throughout the year is a huge achievement and a result of prioritising a national need to curb wildlife crimes in the country,” says Megh Bahadur Pandey, Director General of Nepal’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation. “A national level commitment is key to encouraging complementing efforts, right down to the grassroots level, in order to address this biggest threat to wildlife not just in Nepal but across the world.”

Read on