The man, Dil Bahadur Chepang, who had been on CNP´s most wanted list for the past two years accused of rhino poaching and illegal smuggling of rhinos´ horns, was arrested by park officials from Chitwan Medical Hospital on July 8. [break]On Friday, Chepang was formally handed over to Bharatpur Jail.
According to Chitwan National Park office, Chepang´s name has been included in four different cases related to rhino pouching that were filed since 2011.
Chief Conservation officer of Chitwan National Park Hari Ram Das said Dil Bahadur was named by several other poachers including Kaji Man Chepang, who was found guilty of killing nine rhinos inside the park.
On 9th June, 2011, Bal Bahadur Chepang and Ramesh Waiba were arrested for smuggling rhino horns. During investigations the accused said Dil Bahadur Chepang was the main smuggler of rhino´s horn. After that, District Forest office, Dhading filed charges against Chepang.
Rhinos are endangered species protected by Nepali laws. Killing rhino or smuggling their body parts can lead to between 5 to 15 years in prison or fines up to Rs. Rs 100,000 or both.
Rhino poacher on the run arrested