Kathmandu, Sept. 16 -- The illegal export of domesticated elephants from Nepal to India Chitwan due to the collapse of wildlife tourism that began during last year's lockdown has not stopped.

This in violation of theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species(CITES) of which Nepal is a signatory, dozens of privately-owned elephants not registered with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation (DNPWC) are being trucked across the border into India where the animals command a high price.

CITES regulations states if any person or organisation has reared or benefitted from any endangered wildlife must be registered within a year from the establishment of the regulation. This sets a deadline of 24 November, 2020 ...