Chitwan, June 6 – Bahrasinghe (swap deer) which was kept at the open cage in the Chitwan National Park (CNP) is not visible for the past eight months. According to CNP Information Officer Lokendra Adhikari, the animal vanished from the sight along with wild buffalo. It has not been spotted since September/October and it is yet to be determined whether it is hiding inside bush, or devoured by tiger. It may also be escaped from the habitat.

Some years ago, five female and two male swap deer were brought here from the Shuklaphanta National Park. Two female had died during translocation and four other died later due to several reasons. Remaining one deer is not visible for months, it is said. The plan to bring 25 swamp deer including five male was cancelled following the deaths of two on the arrival. (RSS)