Summary:
Two young elephants born at Chitwan National Park’s breeding centre — Rudrakali (7, female) and Khagendra Prasad (6, male) — will be sent to a zoo in Qatar next month after a request made through diplomatic channels two years ago. They will travel by truck from Sauraha to Gautam Buddha International Airport and then by chartered plane to Doha, accompanied by two mahouts who will train local caretakers for at least a month. Special measures for Qatar’s extreme heat include air-conditioned housing and initial supplies of hay flown from India, with Nepal later providing ongoing provisions. The Qatari embassy is covering construction of enclosures and transport costs. The move is framed as strengthening bilateral ties and showcasing Nepal’s biodiversity; the Chitwan centre (established 1985) has produced 68 elephants and this is the first time animals born there are being sent abroad.

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