Mammals

Nepal is very rish in diversity of flora and fauna including mammals also.The highest diversity of mammals species occur in midhills. However larger and the endangered species occur in the Terai and Siwaliks.Twenty seven mammals have been given legal protection by NPWC Act 1973. The big five (rhino, elephant, Bengal tiger, snow leopard and musk deer) drew attention from conservationist due to the vulnerability from the habitat fragmentation and casualty by poachers. The Asian one-horned Rhino (Gaida in Nepali) is one of the five species of Rhino found in Asia and Africa. They are endangered and occur in Royal Chitwan National Park. They have been reintroduced to Bardia and few to Shukalphanta. They graze singly or in small group in elephant grass, where they also retire during the heat of the day. Wild Asiatic Elephant, the stock of the domestic trained elephants are part of the culture in South Asia. Ganesh the elephant god is widely worshipped by Hindu devotees. They occur in small number in the protected area and bordering areas with India. Some of the wild males in musth period sired several babies from domestic stock. They frequently come to conflict with human while feeding on the crop fields, damaging property and injuring human. Resident populations are found in Bardia National Park. Raja Gaj the tallest living male Asia Elephant resides in Bardia.