Plastic crisis hits Nepal's wildlife: Rhinos at risk from pollution

Plastic pollution is not just a local concern but a worldwide menace that poses a significant threat to both humans and wildlife. Moreover, the recent revelation that plastic debris has been found in the excrement of the esteemed one-horned rhinos residing in Nepal's renowned Chitwan National Park is quite alarming. Such a finding raises concerns regarding the harmful consequences of plastic on the well-being and long-term existence of these majestic creatures.

Plastic pollution threatens one-Horned Rhinos

The Indian rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis), also known as the one-horned rhinoceros, exclusively inhabits the northeastern lowlands of India and Nepal. Identified by their stout black horns and folded brown skin, measuring anywhere from 8 to 25 inches long, these rhinos face a dangerous future.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) estimates that the world has only 2,100 to 2,200 adult individuals of this species remaining. These adults typically measure between 3 to 12.5 feet in length and weigh around 1,800 to 2,700 kg. Hence, the conservation of this species is extremely crucial.

The monsoon season from June to August exposes Chitwan National Park, a crucial sanctuary for one-horned rhinos, to annual flooding. The rivers within the park exceed their boundaries, rendering the area inaccessible to both tourists and local residents.

As the floodwaters withdraw, riverbanks become strewn with plastic bottles, bags, and pouches, causing a concerning surge in plastic pollution. Furthermore, visitors to the park worsen the issue by leaving litter behind, thus intensifying the problem of plastic waste.

Alarming presence of plastic particles

Researchers conducted a comprehensive study over three consecutive years (2020-2022) and collected data during and after the monsoon season in Chitwan National Park. They analyzed dung samples from the park's rhino population and discovered visible plastic particles in 10.1% of the samples.

In 2021, plastic prevalence in rhino dung reached its highest point at 7%, while it was 10% in 2022 and 7% in 2020. In contrast to the marginal area where human presence is more noticeable and had a plastic contamination of 6%, a greater proportion of samples from the central area of the park, where human activity is restricted, showed plastic contamination (18%).

The study identified at least eight types of plastic in the rhino dung, including cola bottle caps, plastic balls, tobacco pouches, plastic bags, cookie packets, rubber bands, chocolate packets, and shampoo packets. These findings indicate that the rhinos are ingesting plastic items of various sizes and shapes both from the river and from other sources, such as discarded masks, tobacco packets and bottle caps left behind by visitors. The movement of rhinos between zones also contributes to the spread of plastic debris throughout the park.

Riverbank landfills worsen plastic pollution

The widespread dumping of waste in landfills located along river banks in nearby towns and villages exacerbates the prevalence of plastic pollution in Chitwan National Park. Monsoon floods wash away the accumulated debris throughout the year, further polluting the park's environment.

Although the study did not examine the long-term effects of plastic ingestion on rhinos, lead author Balram Awasthi, Ph.D. student at the Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, stressed that it could lead to problems with digestion, metabolism and reproduction.

Reports of unexplained rhino deaths in Chitwan raise concerns that ingesting plastic could contribute to mortality rates. It's worth noting that the study only considered plastic visible to the naked eye, indicating the likelihood that smaller plastic particles would cause additional damage.

Protecting Rhinos from Plastic Pollution

Veterinarian Amir Sadaula from the National Trust for Nature Conservation in Nepal expressed concern about the presence of plastic items in rhino dung, although evidence linking rhino deaths directly to plastic ingestion is currently lacking. He highlighted the potential for plastic to clog the digestive tract and release harmful chemicals into the bodies of animals. Sadaula called for more research to assess the impact of plastic on rhinos.

The Nepalese government conducted the latest census in 2021 and found that there are 752 one-horned rhinos residing in the country's wildlife sanctuaries, which is an increase from 645 in 2015.. However, the species remains vulnerable on the Red List. IUCN List of Threatened Species, with fewer than 2,200 individuals remaining in India and Nepal.

To combat the plastic pollution crisis, Awasthi suggested that the government and conservation partners carry out post-monsoon cleanup programs to remove plastic debris from riverbanks. In addition, upstream towns and villages must adopt sustainable waste management plans and practices to prevent plastic pollution from entering rivers.

The study findings underscore the need for comprehensive measures to address the adverse effects of plastic pollution on one-horned rhinos and their fragile habitat. Failure to take immediate action could have serious consequences for the long-term survival of this iconic species.

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