A huge cache of animal parts and trophies taken over the last 20 years were destroyed in a deliberately set fire in the town of Chitwan in Nepal Monday.
The 4,012 pieces were burned in a 15-metre long, five-metre wide furnace as per a government decision.
The animal parts from 48 different species were recovered from killed animals or seized from poachers. They were stored at an armed forest guard training centre.
Parts included tiger hides, rhino hors, snow leopard skins and other parts. Some were still being kept for study and research.
The government had decided to destroy the animal parts and trophies to discourage poaching and bring down the demand and market value of these items retained as priced possession.
