KANCHANPUR: A remarkable sighting has stirred excitement among conservationists as the endangered Yellow-Breasted Bunting was spotted in the buffer zone of Shuklaphanta National Park.

Known locally as “Bagale Bagedi,” this rare bird was sighted for the first time in the area, according to Suwan Chaudhary, a dedicated conservationist.

Chaudhary reported that a flock of these elusive birds was observed in the fields of a local farmer in Dhaknia, Shuklaphanta Municipality-2.

Hirulal Dagaura, an ornithologist at Bird Conservation Nepal, confirmed that the Yellow-Breasted Bunting was initially documented in Shuklaphanta National Park back in 1980.

However, the species has faced a dire threat of extinction due to rampant hunting for its meat.

“The population of Yellow-Breasted Buntings has plummeted by a staggering 90 percent over the past decade,” remarked Dagaura, underscoring the urgent need for conservation efforts.

Just a few years ago, Nepal boasted a thriving population of thousands of these birds, but recent surveys indicate a drastic decline, with only around 30 individuals remaining.

Beyond Kailali, Kanchanpur, Bardiya, Chitwan, and Jhapa, the Yellow-Breasted Bunting has also been spotted in select districts of the Madhes province, highlighting the significance of concerted conservation measures across the nation.