“Ican’t talk now, I’m in hospital,” Ram Kumar Aryal says when he picks up the phone. “Someone has been attacked by one of the rhinos.” Every few months, Aryal – who is one of the architects of Nepal’s celebrated rhino conservation programme – ends up in one of the hospitals around Chitwan national park to respond to a rhino attack. This time, three women had been injured earlier that afternoon by a female rhino outside Laukhani village in the park’s buffer zone.The hospital had bandaged up their fractured legs and ribs and treated the bites on their hips and knees. “Normally rhinos are vegetarian, but they use their incisors for attacks,” says Aryal. Those incisors can grow to three inches long.It is difficult but we have to accept it, what can we do? It is a species we need to protect. This is the land of rhinoRam Kumar AryalIncidents like this are not unusual. In the past six months,eight peoplehave been killed by rhinos in the Chitwan national park buffer zone –a 750 sq km (290 sq miles) area surrounding the park, which is home to 45,000 households. In towns here, rhinos can often be seen wandering the streets, sauntering past restaurants, bars and motorbike stands, snoozing on hotel lawns and grazing in people’s back gardens. Residents are curious but wary of them.View image in fullscreenRhinos in a garden in Sauraha, Nepal.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesThe women survived by jumping inside a hollowed out tree, says Aryal, who used to work for the semi-governmental organisation the National Trust for NatureConservation(NTNC). Two years ago, Aryal’s uncle was found dead after he had gone out looking for vegetables in the jungle. They found rhino bite marks on his body and prints nearby. “It is difficult but we have to accept it, what can we do? It is a species we need to protect,” says Aryal. “We still respect rhinos. This is the land of rhino, with human beings in.”When the park was created in 1973 there were 100 greater one-horned rhinos.Now there are almost 700in Chitwan, 90% of Nepal’s total. The human population is also growing, with300,000 peopleliving in the buffer zone, which has made it a hotspot for human wildlife conflict. It is not just rhinos – the park’s growing population of elephants, tigers and sloth bears have also killed humans.View image in fullscreenSome tamer rhinos – usually rescue animals – are stationed more permanently in the villages.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesThe greater one-horned rhino is classified asvulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN) and was once close to extinction. Its population recovery is considered one of Asia’sgreat conservation success stories, thanks to strict protection in Nepal and India.Wild rhinos typically pass through villages on their way to cropland on the other side, but some tamer rhinos are stationed more permanently in the villages. These resident rhinos (often rescue animals) generally ignore people.View image in fullscreenThe resident rhinos usually ignore humans; local people recognise individuals and know their temperaments.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesOne, named Meghauli, was rescued from a flood when he was two or three and cared for by NTNC staff. “He was already the size of a horse,” says Aryal. When it was time to go back into the forest, Meghauli didn’t want to go – he was getting picked on by bigger males. “When his incisors – or teeth – are bigger he will go into the jungle. They will be his main instrument for fighting,” says Aryal. “Of course, people will miss him when he goes into the forest.”Other tame rhinos include Pushpa and Anjali, who were abandoned by their mothers and raised by park authorities. Local people recognise them and know their temperaments, but two months ago, someone mistook a wild rhino for one of the adopted ones and was killed.View image in fullscreenMost people in the area have a positive attitude towards rhino conservation, despite the challenges of living in close proximity with them.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesView image in fullscreenLocal people feed them and leave out buckets of water for them.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesRabin KC, a conservationist from NTNC who grew up in the village, says: “The domesticated rhinos haven’t killed anyone in Sauraha. But it could happen – at the end of the day, they are wild. If you pull their tail they might attack.” Despite this, he says local people are fond of them. “People are not that anxious about the orphan rhinos in Sauraha. They are earning good money from them, so they are welcoming them, by feeding them and giving them buckets of water.”The village is popular with tourists visiting Chitwan national park, which attracted185,000 foreign visitorsin 2019. Within Sauraha village there is a Rhino Lodge and Hotel, a Hotel Rhino Land, and Rhino Residency Resort. “They may not see the rhino in the park, but they can see them in the streets,” says KC. “Locals are earning a good amount of foreign currency and welcoming a lot of tourists. Sometimes, people are making TikTok videos of the rhinos.”View image in fullscreenSauraha village has embraced its rhino attraction, with many locals appreciating the income they generate.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesBirendra Mahato, founder chair of the Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center, who lives in Sauraha, says he personally knows more than 20 people who have been killed by rhinos.His parents – who are farmers – used to live inside what is now the national park, but were removed from the land into Sauraha village when the park was designated in 1973. “The conflict with rhinos mostly impacts poorer, Indigenous people, who have no land. Those who are poor need to go to the park to get fuel or grass, and at the same time they are attacked,” he says.Those living closer to the national park, who are most dependent on its resources, have the most negative attitudes towards rhinos,research suggests. Yet out of 200 local people surveyed, only two said they did not care about rhino conservation. “Despite their fear and the amount of crop damage caused by the rhino, people still have a positive attitude towards the rhino conservation,” the study found.View image in fullscreenAlmost 700 rhinos live in Chitwan national park.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesMahato says government policies need to provide more support to those most affected. “People don’t mind rhinos coming into the villages, but they mind when they eat their crops and they get no compensation,” he says. Sometimes they do get compensation, but it is slow, and often only amounts to 20% of the total damage. If a human is killed by a large predator, the family getsone million Nepali rupees(£5,500).Nepal’s rhino conservation work has been hailed as a great success, but some people living alongside these animals are paying the highest price. “You cannot compensate a life with money,” says KC.View image in fullscreenSome argue that there should be better compensation for damage to crops as well as injuries and deaths caused by the animals.Photograph: Paul Hilton/Earth Tree ImagesFind moreage of extinction coverage here, and follow the biodiversity reportersPhoebe WestonandPatrick Greenfieldin the Guardian app for more nature coverage
Sauntering on streets and grazing on lawns: what happens when rhinos move into town?
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Human-Wildlife Conflict in Chitwan: The Challenges of Coexisting with Rhinos"
The Guardian
6.9
TruthLens AI Summary
The presence of greater one-horned rhinos in and around Chitwan National Park has led to an increase in human-wildlife conflict, as evidenced by recent incidents where several individuals were injured by rhinos. Ram Kumar Aryal, an architect of Nepal's rhino conservation program, reported that three women were attacked by a female rhino outside Laukhani village, resulting in severe injuries. Such attacks are not isolated events; in the past six months alone, eight people have been killed by rhinos in the park's buffer zone, which is home to approximately 300,000 residents. While the rhinos, typically herbivorous, can become aggressive when threatened, local communities are faced with the challenge of coexisting with these majestic creatures. The growth in both the rhino population, now nearly 700 in Chitwan, and the human population has intensified the likelihood of encounters, leading to a complex relationship between conservation efforts and community safety.
Despite the dangers posed by rhinos, many locals maintain a positive attitude towards conservation. Residents of Sauraha village have adapted to the presence of rhinos, often feeding them and leaving out water. Some tamer rhinos, rescued and raised by park authorities, have become part of the community, with locals recognizing their individual temperaments. However, the economic benefits from tourism, driven by visitors eager to see rhinos, coexist with the risks faced by those who live closer to the park. While there is a general appreciation for rhino conservation, issues arise concerning crop damage and the slow compensation process for losses incurred by the wildlife. Community leaders argue for better support and compensation policies, emphasizing that financial compensation cannot replace the loss of life. The situation underscores the delicate balance between wildlife conservation and the livelihoods of those living in proximity to these powerful animals.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights the ongoing interactions between rhinos and human communities near Chitwan National Park in Nepal. It captures the tension between wildlife conservation and public safety, emphasizing the challenges faced by both rhinos and residents.
Wildlife Conservation vs. Human Safety
The narrative illustrates the risks posed by the encroachment of rhinos into populated areas, leading to injuries and fatalities among locals. It frames the issue as a complex dilemma: while rhinos are a protected species and integral to the ecosystem, their presence can threaten human life. This duality is articulated through the experiences of Ram Kumar Aryal, a conservation advocate who acknowledges the danger but also emphasizes the importance of protecting rhinos, thus creating a sense of urgency around conservation efforts.
Community Sentiment and Awareness
The article aims to evoke empathy for both the human victims and the rhinos by detailing personal stories, such as the account of Aryal’s uncle who was killed by a rhino. This storytelling approach seeks to foster a deeper connection with the plight of both species, likely aiming to raise awareness about the coexistence challenges in the region. It subtly encourages readers to consider the broader implications of wildlife conservation in urban settings.
Potential Omissions and Hidden Agendas
While the article discusses the dangers posed by rhinos, it does not delve into the broader impact of human encroachment on wildlife habitats, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of the situation. By focusing on individual incidents, there’s a risk of oversimplifying the complex relationship between development and conservation. This selective focus may lead to questions about the motivations behind the reporting, particularly whether it aims to garner support for conservation initiatives without adequately addressing the associated risks to human safety.
Comparative Context and Broader Implications
When compared with other environmental or wildlife-related news stories, this article highlights a growing trend of human-wildlife conflict as urbanization expands into natural habitats. Such narratives are becoming increasingly relevant in discussions about sustainable development and conservation policies globally. The publication’s platform also contributes to a narrative that positions Nepal as a leader in conservation efforts, potentially enhancing its international image while drawing attention to the need for balanced policies.
Societal and Economic Impact
The ongoing conflict between rhinos and local communities could have various implications. It may lead to increased calls for enhanced safety measures, changes in conservation strategies, and possible economic impacts on tourism, which often relies on wildlife as an attraction. Moreover, the public sentiment could sway political action, urging government and conservation organizations to reassess their approaches to human-wildlife coexistence.
Target Audience and Community Engagement
This article seems to resonate with environmentalists, conservationists, and local communities affected by wildlife interactions. By tapping into the emotional narratives of those directly impacted, it seeks to engage a broad audience that values biodiversity and is concerned about the implications of wildlife conservation policies.
Market Reactions and Economic Considerations
While the specific article may not have direct implications for stock markets, companies involved in tourism, wildlife conservation, or local businesses could be influenced by the ongoing dynamics between human populations and wildlife. Increased awareness and advocacy could lead to shifts in funding or investments in conservation initiatives, impacting those sectors indirectly.
Global Relevance and Power Dynamics
The issues presented are significant within the context of global wildlife conservation discussions, where urbanization and habitat loss are pressing concerns. This article reflects ongoing debates about the responsibilities of nations in protecting endangered species while also ensuring community safety and development.
Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence
It is possible that AI tools were employed in the drafting process, especially in structuring the narrative to make it engaging and accessible. However, without clear indicators of AI involvement, it remains speculative. If AI was utilized, it likely influenced the presentation style, aiming for a balance between informative content and emotional appeal. The article's reliability hinges on its use of firsthand accounts and data from conservationists, yet it could benefit from a more balanced exploration of human-wildlife interactions. Overall, it presents a compelling narrative but may lean toward advocacy, which affects its perceived objectivity.