A Nepalese family that relocated after a deadly elephant attack more than a decade ago has suffered another devastating loss, with the same rogue elephant allegedly killing two more relatives and raising the family's death toll to four over a 14-year period.
The family's ordeal began in December 2012 when the elephant known as Dhurbe fatally trampled the parents of Shanichara Bote in Madi, near Chitwan National Park. Following the tragedy, the surviving family members moved about nine miles away, crossing the Rapti River to settle in Jagatpur in the hope of avoiding further danger.
That sense of security was shattered earlier this month when the elephant reportedly reached their new home, entered the property and killed 25-year-old Ashika Bote and her four-year-old son, Bharat Bote.
Shanichara Bote said the family believed moving across major rivers would protect them, but after years of living elsewhere, the same elephant returned and struck again. He described the latest attack as leaving the family with no place left where they feel safe.
According to officials at Chitwan National Park, Dhurbe has now been linked to 25 confirmed human deaths since 2010. Officials said the elephant had previously been responsible for 23 fatalities before the two deaths in Jagatpur.
Wildlife authorities said the elephant is being monitored through a satellite tracking collar. Tracking records reportedly placed the animal in the vicinity of the attack site on July 4.
Authorities had previously attempted to eliminate the rogue elephant after the deadly 2012 incident. During that operation, 93 soldiers were deployed and the elephant was shot twice but managed to escape.
The latest attack has once again highlighted the continuing challenge of human-elephant conflict in communities surrounding Chitwan National Park.
