By Abinash Chaudhary
Dhangadi, Feb. 27: Several Himalayan gorals (Naemorhedus goral) have been sighted for the first time at Shuklaphanta National park (SNP), in Sudurpaschim Province. Famous for swamp deer and Barasingha, the park marks a slight increase in the number of mammal species with this recent spotting along the Krishnasara Protected Area stretching from Hirapur Maidan to North Chure.
During the tiger survey conducted in Nepal from 2013 to 2014, it was concluded that 56 types of mammals inhabit SNP. Six years later, a species of mammal has been added to the park.
"Taking the newly-found gorals into account, that number goes up to 57," said Rabin Chaudhary, Assistant Conservation Officer of the park.
While Himalayan gorals aren't rare wild creatures, they are an important addition to the park, said Chaudhary, adding that the Chure area is a suitable habitat for gorals.
On November 29, 2019, a team of conservationists, including the then Chief Conservation Officer of SNP, Laxman Poudyal saw the animal while fetching water from the Badepani River. However, they were unable to take its photos at that time.
Poudyal, who is currently working at Shivapuri Nagarjuna National Park, finally managed to capture the elusive species on camera in the Badepani area on October 20, 2020.
An investigative article titled 'First Report of Himalayan goral from Nepal's Shuklaphanta National Park' written by Poudyal and Yam Rawat was published shortly after that capture.
The article details elaborately about how the mammal was first sighted and tracked, as well as the subsequent sightings on November 2 and 7 of 2020.
"I saw two gorals for the fourth time on November 7, and even managed to take a photo. But by then the article was already published," added Poudyal.
According to Poudyal, gorals live in the Chure area of Shuklaphanta and drink water from the Badepani River flowing from the Chure. As the mammal is among the endangered species and considering its dwindling numbers, these new sightings are cause for celebrations, he said.
The park is home to a host of mammals -- like tigers, Barhasingha, rhinos, elephants, Krishnashar (blackbuck), leopards and pangolins.
Meanwhile, Assistant Conservation Officer Chaudhary informed that a rhino census would also be conducted in the park in the next few days.