Recently I read an article about hunting in Nepal in the past. Nepal has always been famous for shikar – big game hunting. It was interesting to read about it in details.
During the British rule in India viceroys and governors at the invitation of the Rana Prime Ministers would often hunt in Nepal. Leopards, tigers, rhinos, wild boars, crocodiles would become their bags. Bird shooting was also very popular.
In the past the ring method was used for hunting tigers, leopards and rhino. Sometimes as many as 600 elephants were required to organize the big “royal” shoot.
The first night of the hunt buffalo calves were staked out as bait. The following morning trackers locate any buffalo kills and track the tiger to his resting place. Then they make a large circle of a quarter to a half mile diameter marking out the circumference with chipped stems and grass knots.
Once the ring was cut then the elephants were sent for. The elephants were divided into two groups which proceeded right and left along the perimeter of the circle. The rear elephants gradually drop out to take their positions at regular intervals and finally the two lead elephants meet.
Now the whole circle of elephants moves inward. The mahouts mounted on the elephants shout and whistle to drive the tiger towards the center. The circle becomes smaller and smaller until the elephants are almost touching each other.
In the past the ring method was used for hunting tigers, leopards and rhino. Sometimes as many as 600 elephants were required to organize the big “royal” shoot.
The first night of the hunt buffalo calves were staked out as bait. The following morning trackers locate any buffalo kills and track the tiger to his resting place. Then they make a large circle of a quarter to a half mile diameter marking out the circumference with chipped stems and grass knots.
Once the ring was cut then the elephants were sent for. The elephants were divided into two groups which proceeded right and left along the perimeter of the circle. The rear elephants gradually drop out to take their positions at regular intervals and finally the two lead elephants meet.
Now the whole circle of elephants moves inward. The mahouts mounted on the elephants shout and whistle to drive the tiger towards the center. The circle becomes smaller and smaller until the elephants are almost touching each other.
Once the ring is formed a winding sheet of white linen is spread around the circle. This ring of cloth is by itself sufficient to keep the tiger within the circle. Now the elephants are freed to ring another tiger. Only a few are left.Once the ring was secure the message was sent back to camp and the VIPs arrived in howdahs on elephant back. Now the tigers were driven by the beater elephants toward an opening in the ring and shot by the hunters from the howdahs.
In 1875 the Prince of Wales bagged 27 tigers, 1 leopard and several wild boars.In 1911 King George bagged 39 tigers, 18 rhinos and 4 sloth bears. The record bag for one day was 10 tigers, 1 rhino and 1 bear.
When Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip of the UK visited Nepal in 1961 a royal hunt was laid out and some 400 elephants were gathered for the occasion. Although the Queen and Prince did not actively take part in the shoot Lord Hume and Admiral Bonham Carter bagged a rhino and tiger respectively.
Of course big game hunting has taken its toll of Nepal’s wildlife. No less than 35 species of mammals are endangered and 15 big game species face possible extinction. Already the pygmy hog and wild yak have disappeared. The tiger has been reduced to less than a few hundred in number.I fail to understand this thirst for killing animals. Seems cruel and senseless for me.
The photos are from the archive of the Australian National University
www.dspace.anu.edu.au There are many other photos as well as some information about 1911 King George's hunting in Nepal
Source: “Wildlife in Nepal” by Rishikesh Shaha, Richard M. Mitchell