Wild elephant electrocution in Nepal sparks outcry from conservationists

PRASHANT ACHARYA

SILIGURI, :A female wild elephant was found dead early Monday morning in a maize field at Ganesh Toll, Mechinagar-1 of Bahundangi in eastern Nepal’s Jhapa district. The elephant is believed to have died from electrocution after coming into contact with an electric fence installed by local farmers to protect their crops.

Local residents discovered the carcass and immediately alerted the police and forest department.

This marks the second such incident in just two months in the same region, raising serious concerns among Indian wildlife conservationists and NGOs working on cross-border elephant conservation efforts.

Rikjyoti Singha Roy, founder of Siliguri-based Jumboo Troops, expressed frustration over the lack of international response to the recurring tragedies. His organization works in collaboration with the Thailand-based Save Elephant Foundation to protect Asian elephants.

“How many more days will international organizations stay silent about Nepal? We don’t know the reason behind this silence but the truth speaks louder,” said Roy.

Roy criticized the frequent high-profile conferences and meetings organized under the banner of "transboundary conservation" between India and Nepal, often held in five-star hotels, which he claims have produced little on-ground impact.

“We are deeply concerned. These elephants, following their ancient migratory routes, crossed from India into Nepal, but never returned. Some were lost to poaching, others to electrocution. We are losing our elephants one by one, while the world watches in silence,” he added.