In the dense forests of Chitwan National Park, one figure looms in local legend—Dhurbe, the rogue male elephant whose violent forays carved a dark chapter in Nepal’s wildlife-human interface.

The Carnage Unfolds (2009–2012)

Between 2009 and 2012, Dhurbe claimed the lives of 16 people and demolished more than 50 homes, leaving both tragedy and terror in his wake Wikipedia. His path of destruction earned him the label of a “mad elephant,” and despite mobilizing 93 personnel from the Nepal Army and park authorities to neutralize him, Dhurbe managed to escape unscathed—injured perhaps, but alive WikipediaKathmandu Post.

A Fugitive in the Wild

After vanishing into the forest in 2013, Dhurbe reemerged in 2018 in dramatic fashion—raiding a park post, abducting a female elephant (Tirthamankali), and injuring a male elephant named Paras Gaj WikipediaKathmandu Post. His appearances persisted through the years: in 2020 he was re-collared; in 2021, he disrupted a rhino survey team; by late 2023, he had been collared for a third time Wikipedia.

Recent Havoc and Human Hardship

The havoc didn’t end. In early 2024, Dhurbe resurfaced near human settlements, demolishing four homes in Bayarghari and reigniting fear among locals, with attributed deaths rising to 22 people radionepalonline.comNepal NewsRising Nepal.

In response, park officials deployed tracking technologies—radio collars and camera traps—to monitor Dhurbe’s movements and mitigate further threats nepalminute.comOnline Khabar.

Mitigating Loss and Building Resilience

Recognizing the fragility of human livelihoods in wildlife‐prone zones, Madi Municipality introduced an innovative insurance scheme in 2025. For an annual premium of just Rs. 100, 1,500 households—including 65 in the most affected Pandavanagar—gained coverage, up to Rs. 100,000, to rebuild after elephant damage. This initiative brought relief to families like Budhni and Sarita Bote, allowing them to rebuild their homes on the same land radionepalonline.com.

Why Dhurbe’s Story Matters

• Human-Wildlife Conflict Escalated: Dhurbe epitomizes the perils when wildlife corridors intersect with human habitation—and the dire consequences for both.
  
• Wildlife Behavior Beyond Control: As long as fragmented habitats and population pressures remain, similar incidents may recur without proactive strategies.
  
• Need for Integrated Policy: Combining tracking technology, community awareness, and insurance programs demonstrates a holistic response to a complex issue.