Surge in human-wildlife conflict in Nepal: leopard and elephant attacks claim lives

May 28, Bardiya/Parsa: A growing wave of human-wildlife conflict in Nepal, especially the Terai arc, has raised alarm, with wild animals increasingly encroaching into villages near forests, posing significant risks to residents. The incursion of animals is largely attributed to habitat loss and depleted prey populations, forcing wildlife like leopards, tigers, and elephants into human settlements in search of food.

In Bardiya’s Gulariya Municipality, Ward No. 5, a six-year-old girl, Saira Tharu, was killed in a leopard attack in Balapur. The incident occurred early in the morning when Sayra was heading to a nearby toilet. The leopard attacked and dragged her away, but family members and neighbours intervened after hearing the commotion.

Despite being rushed to Bardiya Hospital, she was declared dead on arrival, according to Deputy Superintendent of Police Chakra Bahadur Dambar Pal. Saia’s home is located near a forest, increasing the threat of leopards and tired entering human settlements in Bardiya.

In a separate incident in Parsa National Park, 61-year-old Shyam Bahadur Bhulan from Manahari, Makwanpur, was killed by a wild elephant on May 23 while foraging for asparagus in the Ramabhauri Bhatha area. His body was recovered on Monday by a team of residents, Nepal Police, and Nepal Army personnel.

Two others, Bhakta Bahadur Ale, 60, and Shrawan Bhulan, 51, escaped the attack and informed the police, leading to the search. The body was sent to Narayani Hospital in Birgunj for a postmortem, as confirmed by Superintendent of Police Gautam Mishra.