KATHMANDU: The Nepal government today gifted a couple of one-horned Asiatic rhinos to China to consolidate ties between the two countries.
Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli handed over the rhino couple to Chinese Ambassador Yu Hong at a function here.
Nepal gifted the rhinos named, Bhadra (male) and Rupasi (female), as per government's decision made a couple of years ago.
Another couple of rhinos will be gifted to China next month.
Speaking on the occasion, Oli said the presentation of rhinos to China would help further consolidate historic ties between the two neighbouring countries.
He also expressed hope that the rhinos would be reared in a good environment as he underlined the need for further expanding bilateral relations between Nepal and China.
Aged between 1-2 years, Bhadra weighs around 900 kgs while Rupasi weighs about 1,200 kgs, according to the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation.
The rhinos will be dispatched to China by a special cargo plane.
The endangered wildlife species are to be released in Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou of China, according to officials.
Ambassador Yu acknowledged the rhino couple as a special gift to the Chinese government and expressed confidence that they would live in good conditions.
So far, Nepal has gifted 26 rare one-horned rhinos to various countries including India, the US, Japan, Thailand and Austria.
Nepal is home to around 650 one-horned rhinoceros, according to the latest census.