Blackbuck population in Shuklaphanta rises to 306, prompting management challenges

Kanchanpur: The population of blackbucks under conservation at Hirapur Phata in Shuklaphanta National Park, Kanchanpur, has reached 306, according to the park administration.

Initially introduced with 42 blackbucks brought from Bardiya and Nepalgunj a decade ago, the population has since increased eightfold. The antelopes are currently confined within a 60-square-kilometer enclosure at Hirapur Phata, where arrangements for feeding and habitat have been made.

However, with the number growing steadily, park officials are now exploring alternatives, including the possibility of creating an open grazing area within the park or relocating the animals to other sites. Conservation Officer Purushottam Wagle noted that managing the growing population within the current enclosure is no longer feasible and that various options are under review.

The latest count includes 144 females, 117 males, and 45 offspring. Although the early years of the program saw high mortality rates due to male aggression and worm infestations, recent population growth has been encouraging.

Ved Kumar Dhakal, Deputy Director General of the Department of Parks and Wildlife Conservation, emphasized the need for a revised management strategy, such as enclosure expansion, open-range adaptation, or relocation to parks like Chitwan. However, he noted that a lack of financial resources is currently delaying detailed studies and relocation efforts.

Plans for blackbuck management have been incorporated into the park’s upcoming five-year strategy. Conservationists are preparing to release some blackbucks into open areas in phases and monitor their behavior, although no definitive decision has been made yet.