Two arrested for possession of wildlife parts

CHITWAN: Chitwan National Park authorities have arrested two individuals for possessing remains of a snow leopard, a protected wildlife species.

The arrests were made on Tuesday, with the park making the details public today.

According to Abinash Thapa Magar, the park’s information officer, the duo was apprehended in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-10 based on a special tip-off.

The suspects are currently in the park’s custody for investigation. They will be prosecuted under Section 26 (1) of the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, which carries strict penalties for offenses against protected wildlife species, said Thapa Magar.

The snow leopard is a highly endangered species, and its poaching poses a serious threat to Nepal’s biodiversity.