April 20, Chitwan – Visitors to Sauraha in Chitwan come not only for jungle safaris but also to meet a unique one-horned rhino that has become almost like a pet. This rhino’s name is ‘Ram.’ Rescued nearly a month after being separated from his mother and injured in a tiger attack in the Baghmara Community Forest, Ram is now three years old. Initially weak and fearful, Ram has grown accustomed to human interaction, playing and enjoying the company of tourists.
Ram roams freely around the National Nature Conservation Fund premises throughout the day and is let out early each morning around 5:30 a.m. He returns to his enclosure by approximately 6:30 p.m. Ram enjoys grazing on green grass and surrounding vegetation during the day, while in the evenings he prefers maize porridge, according to Lalbahadur Mahtar, who cares for him. Ram once had a companion named ‘Dev,’ but after Dev passed away last December, Ram has been alone. Since then, Lalbahadur Mahtar has taken full responsibility for his care and well-being.
Mahtar notes that Ram still suffers from injuries sustained during the tiger attack, causing his leg to limp slightly. As Ram matures, there is concern that this condition could worsen. Despite this, Ram has become a major attraction for tourists, offering them the unique opportunity to get close, take photographs, observe his behavior, and experience a sense of connection with the jungle’s wildlife. The rhino is one of Chitwan’s main tourist draws; for many, glimpsing a rhino up close during a jungle safari is an unforgettable experience. Thus, maintaining a balance between rhino conservation and tourism remains a crucial challenge today.
