Serial rhino poacher alleged to indulging in crime even after jail life

Ratnanagar: Bam Bahadur Praja is found to have been involved in killing four more rhinos even after serving his jail term. He was imprisoned after being convicted of killing 17 rhinos.

He had spent 15 years in prison for serial wildlife poaching. Praja was apprehended again on the charge of rhino poaching and smuggling of horns and hooves of the animal. He was first arrested in 2060 BS and was released after 15 years in jail in 2075 BS.

At that time, he had admitted to the poaching of 17 rhinos. But Praja was allegedly back to the unethical business following his release from jail.

A Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB) squad arrested Praja from Malekhu of Dhading on Thursday night and handed him to the Chitwan National Park management, according to CIB chief Uttam Subedi.

It may be noted that in October-November 2020, a mother rhino of around 20- 22 years was found dead along with a three-year-old calf in the Narayani River along with the CNP. Horns of animals were extracted.

After the incident, the CNP launched a sweep operation that ended with the recovery of two more rhinos with the removals of their horns. The CIB investigations suggested the role of Praja in the hunting of animals.