Black Panther and Squirrel Spotted for the First Time in Rara National Park

In a historic discovery, a black panther and a squirrel have been recorded for the first time in Rara National Park. Images of the animals were captured by camera traps installed by zoology students from Tribhuvan University as part of a study on mammals in the park.

Mahesh Neupane, officiating senior conservation officer of the park, confirmed that the camera traps also documented other mammals such as the Himalayan bear, fox, musk deer, and wild boar. However, the sightings of the black panther and squirrel mark a significant milestone, as they had not been observed in the park before.

The research team, led by Tribhuvan University’s PhD student Tilak Thapa Magar, included researchers Bimal Raj Shrestha, Bachan Prasain, and former Park Buffer Zone Consumers Committee president Birkha Bahadur Rokaya. The team used camera-trap technology to study the park’s large and medium-sized mammals. Cameras were installed at 40 locations inside the park for 21 days starting October 22, with permission from the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation and the Rara National Park Office.

While Rara National Park regularly conducts bird censuses, it has not yet undertaken a comprehensive survey of its wildlife, aquatic species, and plants. The discovery of the black panther and squirrel is expected to encourage further research and conservation efforts in the park, which is celebrated for its ecological diversity and stunning natural beauty.