New wild male elephant ‘Sungur Dare’ spotted in Chitwan National Park

A new wild male elephant has been spotted in Chitwan National Park.

According to the Nepal Army stationed for park security, the elephant, with long tusks, was seen in the Hardakhola area near the Chure hills in the park’s eastern region. The army has named it “Sungur Dare.” The elephant is estimated to be about 22 years old and in its prime.

Wildlife officials believe it traveled from eastern Jhapa to Chitwan through the Parsa corridor. Between 2020 and 2023, five wild male elephants have followed this route. Some returned, while others stayed in Chitwan or nearby districts.

In the past, one of these elephants, known as Makuna, was shot dead in January 2025 after it attacked security personnel during an attempt to move it into the park’s core area for safety reasons.

Sungur Dare had not been reported before. Unlike other wild males like Ronaldo, Govinde, and Dhruve—who are often seen around Sauraha’s elephant breeding center—Sungur Dare has so far stayed in the park’s core zone and not approached areas with captive female elephants.

Experts say this new elephant could compete for dominance at the breeding center in the future. Strong, young wild males like Sungur Dare are important for maintaining healthy elephant populations, as they bring new genes into breeding herds.

However, conservationists are concerned about rising threats to wild male elephants across Nepal. Many are killed each year due to human-wildlife conflict and other causes. Last year alone, 12 elephants were killed, most of them wild males.

Currently, Chitwan National Park is home to 58 elephants, including calves. There are also five elephants at the National Trust for Nature Conservation and 45 privately owned elephants in Sauraha.