The tragic death of Makuna, a wild elephant, in Sauraha has deeply saddened and concerned all of us. The incident occurred when a joint team of Chitwan National Park officials and the Nepal Army, deployed for park security, fired a shot to deter Makuna after it aggressively charged toward them. Unfortunately, the bullet struck and killed the elephant.
According to Ganesh Pant, Chief Conservation Officer of Chitwan National Park, the incident took place when the elephant patrol team encountered Makuna unexpectedly in the Lamital area of Kumroj Buffer Zone Community Forest. As the team attempted to guide the elephant back to the core area of the national park, Makuna turned aggressive, prompting security personnel from New Gorakh Battalion (A) to fire the shot in self-defense.
Source: Ayush Maharjan
This incident highlights Nepal’s growing human-wildlife conflict, driven by habitat loss and increasing human encroachment into wildlife corridors. Wild elephants, like Makuna, play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance, but shrinking forests are forcing them into human settlements, leading to frequent conflicts. While ensuring human safety is essential, the use of lethal deterrents raises serious concerns about our wildlife management strategies.
To foster peaceful coexistence, we must implement long-term solutions such as training security forces in non-lethal conflict mitigation, educating local communities on wildlife behavior, and improving habitat connectivity. The loss of Makuna should serve as a wake-up call—unless we take proactive steps, such tragedies will continue to occur.
It is time for us to rethink our approach to conservation. Wildlife and humans can coexist, but only if we prioritize sustainable strategies that protect both people and these magnificent creatures. Makuna’s death must not be in vain—it should drive us to build a future where such incidents are prevented, and harmony between humans and wildlife is achieved.
