Same Elephant Kills Four Family Members Over 14 Years

A devastating tragedy has struck the family of Shanichara Bote in Nepal after losing four family members to attacks by the same wild elephant over 14 years. Despite their efforts to relocate and escape the danger, the attacks have continued to haunt them. In 2012, Bote lost his parents to a severe elephant attack at Baruwa Market in Madi. Fearing increased wildlife dangers from forest encroachment, he moved his remaining family across the Rapti River to Kathmandu District, hoping distance from the forest would bring safety. However, the nightmare returned when the same elephant found them again. Last Sunday, Bote had to report to police in Chitwan District after the elephant attacked his home, killing his 25-year-old daughter-in-law and 4-year-old grandson. Bote told local media that his family had believed crossing major rivers would protect them, but after years passed, the same elephant returned and invaded their home, making him feel there is nowhere left to flee. The elephant, named Dhurbe, has been under wildlife conservationists' watch due to its continuous attacks on humans. Over 23 years, Dhurbe is believed responsible for at least 25 deaths within Chitwan National Park. Park officials use satellite-tracked collars to monitor the aggressive male elephant's movements. Before the recent incident, Dhurbe was linked to 23 deaths; the latest attacks brought the toll to 25. Experts suggest Dhurbe's aggressive behavior may stem from being a solitary male elephant separated from his herd, forcing him to seek food in human settlements and creating human-wildlife conflict. While elephant attacks are common in countries like India and Nepal, Bote's case is exceptionally rare as he has lost family members to the same elephant twice over 14 years, making it one of Nepal's most heartbreaking wildlife tragedies.