Part I: The Nepali Elephants

Elephants are a unique mammal in Nepal because of their religious importance in Hinduism. They have been domesticated since 6,000 BCE in South Asia. 

This large mammal has always symbolized power and is often found as sculpture guardians outside temples, such as Nyatapole, in Bhaktapur. 

In 2022, the total population of wild elephants in Nepal was calculated to be less than 400.  

In July 2020, a herd of 11 wild elephants caused havoc in a southern village of Barahkhestra Municipality, damaging crops, locals have been urging the local government to control elephants and provide them with compensation.

In December 2020, Sunsari District Administration Office considered putting down the wild elephant which has killed at least 18 people and damaged properties. Wildlife conservationists say there are other ways to tame elephants. In Nepal there are strict laws against putting down elephants. 

There has also been an app- Hatti ayo in which whenever someone detects elephant movement, they punch the info into the app and notify a ranger, who then blows a siren. 

In March 2023, a 14-year-old male elephant called Yamaraj killed five people over a span of six months. The locals express concern that Yamaraj may stay in the area permanently. 

The option of taming elephants has also been difficult as the organization People for Ethical Treatment of Animals lobbies while the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora bans the international trade of animal body parts such as elephant tusk. 

In Nepal, the story of smuggling has additional layers of complexity as it's a popular tradition to own elephants. 

This is a story that will be covered in Part II: The Nepali Elephants