The Rusty-spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus is a ‘Near Threatened’ small felid native to South Asia. It was believed to occur only in India and Sri Lanka, but recent studies confirmed its presence in the Bardia National Park (BNP) and Shuklaphanta National Park, Nepal. Here we add evidence of the species in the Banke National Park (BaNP) in 2013 and Bardia National Park (BNP) in 2017. A pair of motion sensor cameras was installed either side of the game trail, forest road or stream bed, maximizing the possibility of tiger capture. Cameras were active for a minimum of 15 days in each sampling location. Camera trap photos were systematically sorted species- wise. A photograph of a single individual rusty-spotted cat was obtained in BaNP in the hot dry season (April–May) of 2013. The camera trap location in BaNP lies in dry- deciduous Sal Shoresa robusta forest at a distance of approximately 4.3 km from the nearest settlements. Additional photographs of rusty-spotted cat were obtained in BNP during the camera trap survey conducted in the dry season (January-April) of 2017. Importantly, the BNP detections confirm the presence of rusty-spotted cats in community forests outside protected areas. These findings reinforce mounting evidence of the value of observations of elusive species made as by-catch from camera-trapping studies focused on tigers or other large charismatic fauna, especially in the context of extending information on poorly known geographical ranges.

Four specimens of the Large-toothed Ferret Badger Melogale personata I. Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire were found at separate sites in Marshyangdi Rural Municipality, Ward No 4, Srichaur, Tangring, Lamjung district, Nepal. The first individual was captured alive by local people on 4th January 2017 and the second was found dead on 17th January 2017. The third alive and fourth road-killed specimens of M. personata were photographed from Marshyangdi Rural Municipality, on 9th July 2020, 26th November 2021, respectively.
The species was recorded at the border region of the Annapurna Conservation Area, approximately 203 km from Kathmandu in a tropical forest alongside the Marshyangdi River. The specimens were examined carefully and identified on a morphological basis. The present account represents the first authentic record of M. personata in the Annapurna Conservation Area, moreover also for Nepal.
 

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are common in locations where human settlements and wildlife ecosystems intersect. Conflict between people and wildlife is a significant conservation issue that is challenging to resolve. Therefore, this research aims to reveal the trends, status, and patterns of HWC in the Buffer Zone (BZ) of Chitwan National Park (CNP) from July 2012 to July 2021. Primary data were collected through household surveys, key informant interviews (KIIs), direct observation, and secondary data from park offices, the Buffer Zone User Committee (BZUC), and institutions through reports, documents, and booklets. Our study shows crop raiding was the most common and notable problem, followed by livestock depredation, with 4416 documented cases. According to the report, elephants are the biggest conflict-causing species, accounting for 37.86% of overall losses. HWC occurrences peaked in 2018, accounting for 23.41% of total incidents from July 2012 to July 2021. During the research period, victims of HWC received compensation totaling ~0.805 million US dollars (106641196.00 Nepalese rupees). Autumn is identified as the greatest season for HWC, owing to paddy harvesting, which draws animals. Most people believe that the population density of wildlife increases in the park due to positive human participation. By adopting a participatory management approach to conservation, the park has the potential to increase the number of locals who benefit from it significantly.