A black panther and a squirrel have been spotted in Rara National Park for the first time. The discovery was made using camera traps installed by zoology students from Tribhuvan University. This is part of a study to understand the mammals living in the park.
Image source: Excellent Himalaya Trek and Expedition
The camera traps, placed at 40 locations for 21 days starting October 22, captured images of various animals, including the Himalayan bear, fox, musk deer, and wild boar. However, the black panther and squirrel are new additions, making this finding especially exciting.
“This is a significant discovery,” said Mahesh Neupane, the park’s senior conservation officer. “It highlights the rich biodiversity of Rara.” The study used camera-trap technology to monitor medium and large mammals and their behaviors.
The research team includes PhD student Tilak Thapa Magar, along with other researchers and local conservation leaders. Although the park regularly surveys birds, it hasn’t conducted a full wildlife census yet. This discovery is expected to inspire more research and conservation efforts in the park.
Rara National Park, known for its natural beauty and ecological importance, now has even more to protect and celebrate.
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