Notorious killer elephant tracked again after fatal attacks in Chitwan

Wildlife authorities in Nepal have successfully located and fitted a satellite tracking collar on 'Dhurbe,' a wild bull elephant notorious for killing humans. The operation followed the elephant's latest fatal attack on a woman and her young son on July 4.

Avinash Thapa Magar, the park's information officer, stated that the elephant was tranquilized and collared with a GPS-enabled device. Officials also trimmed its tusks. This technology will enable near real-time tracking, allowing park officials to deploy response teams if the elephant approaches human settlements.

Dhurbe has a long and violent history, having ventured out of Chitwan National Park into surrounding communities and neighboring districts. The elephant has been responsible for at least 25 human deaths since 2010. This is the fourth time Dhurbe has been fitted with a tracking collar, with previous devices including a radio collar and two satellite collars.

Previous attempts to stop the elephant, including a government order to shoot it in 2012, were unsuccessful. Despite being wounded, Dhurbe escaped and reappeared in different sectors of the park and surrounding areas. The recent operation was hampered by monsoon rains and dense vegetation, but park staff, soldiers, and conservation technicians persevered.

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Adverse weather, dense jungle and overgrown vegetation made the operation extremely difficult.