A foiled attempt to steal a red panda at the Central Zoo in Jawalakhel, Kathmandu, led to the arrest of two people. The Lalitpur District Police arrested the suspects, who were identified as 26-year-old Mohammad Tafiq from Vaishali, Bihar, India, and 21-year-old Krishna Gurung from Dhadingbesi, Nepal. Authorities have identified two other Indian nationals who were involved in the incident, but they are still at large.
According to investigations, the group had carefully examined the enclosure and security measures during their two visits to the zoo prior to the attempted theft. They sneaked into the zoo’s canteen after closing time on their third visit. They were able to catch the red panda late on May 13 and put it in a bag. But when the animal started to make noise, the suspects left the bag in a bamboo grove inside the zoo and ran away.
From the scene, police found a pair of shoes, a screwdriver, and a bag filled with red panda fur. To track down the suspects, CCTV footage was essential. Police arrested Tafiq for his involvement in bird trading in Swayambhu. Gurung’s capture followed shortly.
Red Panda Conservation Concerns
The National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act of 2029 (1973) in Nepal protects the red panda, which is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species and included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Only one female red panda remains at the Central Zoo, where they have lived since 2013. The male died a year ago.
The incident has raised concerns about wildlife trafficking and the safety of endangered species in captivity. Zoo officials have reassured the public that they are taking steps to improve security and prevent similar incidents from happening again.
