CHITWAN, Feb 6: A wild elephant was shot dead in Chitwan after it attacked park rangers.
According to a statement from the Chitwan National Park Office, the elephant, identified as a Makuna, had been causing disturbances in the Sauraha area after entering human settlements. A joint team of the Nepal Army and park officials had been trying to drive the elephant back into the core area of the park.
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During a sweeping patrol on Wednesday in the Lamital area of the Kumroj Intermediate Community Forest, the elephant attacked a domesticated elephant used in the operation. In response, rangers fired two rounds into the air as a warning.
However, when the elephant continued its attack and threw a ranger off his mount, three more rounds were fired in self-defense. The elephant initially fled but later returned to attack again, prompting another round of fire.
The animal was later found dead about a kilometer away. Authorities are investigating the incident.
