Rogue Elephants Spark Tension in Kanchanpur
Increasing Surveillance of Solitary Elephants in Nepal In the far-western region of Nepal, wildlife officials are working diligently to monitor two solitary male elephants that have been frequently moving between forest edges and nearby settlements near Shuklaphanta National Park. These elephants, separated from their herds, have exhibited increased aggression, prompting heightened concern among local authorities. The two elephants include a tuskless male, known locally as a makuna, and another with a missing tail, which is easily recognized by the residents. They typically travel together but avoid larger herds. Locals report that these animals often stay in forest patches close to villages before entering settlements, especially before nightfall, in search of food. This behavior has led to numerous incidents of crop destruction, damage to homes, and close encounters with villagers. On Tuesday evening, the tailless elephant entered Bankatti in ward 14 of Bhimdatta Municipality. Ac...