Chitwan. The two elephants that the Nepal government is going to gift to Qatar have been bid farewell with a program at Sauraha in Chitwan on Monday. The names of the gifted elephants are Rudrakali and Khagendra Prasad. The elephants were felicitated with flowers and fruit after worshiping them according to Vedic rituals. Chief District Officer of Chitwan Ganesh Aryal, Chief Conservation Officer of Chitwan National Park Dr. Ganesh Pant and others garlanded the elephant.

During the visit of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar on 11th and 12th Baisakh 2081, the government decided to gift a pair of elephants to Qatar. Accordingly, the chief conservation officer of the park, Dr. Rudrakali and 6-year-old Khagendra Prasad, who grew up and trained at the Elephant Breeding and Training Center Khorsor, are going to be sent to Qatar as gifts. Pant informed.

The farewelled elephants are being sent to Qatar by a chartered plane along with animal service technician and two mautees from Bhairahawa airport on 2nd of January. The elephant will be formally handed over to the Qatar government from Bhairahawa Airport. Pant said.

For the first time, Nepal is going to gift elephants to other countries. Qatar will transport the elephants with cages to Qatar by chartered aircraft. Maute Budhilal Shrestha of Rudrakali and Maute Pachukha Tharu of Khagendra Prasad are also going to Qatar. They stayed there for a month to take care of the elephants and train the staff there. Pant informed.