Nepal is again in the forefront of ‘wildlife diplomacy’—from gifting gharial eggs and rhinos earning international goodwill. For the first time ever, elephants have taken center stage in Nepal. In my recent Op’ed Article for Diplomat Nepal Magazine of 2025, August Issue, I explore how this diplomatic pivot—from rhinos to elephants—signals changing times, deeper conservation ties and a new chapter in Nepal’s global engagement.
Gobinda Prasad Pokharel
August 10, 2025
Nepal’s wildlife diplomacy has taken a new turn with the decision to gift two elephants – Khagendra Prasad and Rudrakali – to Qatar. This will mark the first time Nepal has gifted elephants to another country. In the past, Nepal has gifted rhinos, leopards, red pandas, and other wild species.
Nepal continued its tradition of wildlife diplomacy during K.P. Sharma Oli’s first term as Prime Minister. On July 10, 2016, his cabinet decided to gift rhinos to China, making it the first live animal gift since Nepal became a federal democratic republic. Previously, such gestures were mostly made by the Royal family during the monarchy. The decision followed a meeting in January 2016 between then Forest Minister Agni Sapkota and Zhang Jianlong, Director of China’s National Forestry Administration.
