A rhinoceros from Chitwan National Park (CNP) entered a settlement, attacked local residents and injured three persons in Devchuli Municipality, Nawalparasi district on Saturday.

Rajhar police said the rhino injured Ganga Bahadur Somai, 56, resident of Devchuli 07, Dal Bahadur Pariyar, 55, resident of Devchuli-16 and Krish Bhandari, 12, residents of Devchuli-2. Dumkauli 

primary health clinic staffers are treating the critically injured trio.

The rhino became violent after hearing loud noise from the locality and attacked the trio. It also vandalised a car (Ba 7 Cha 5654) travelling on the East West highway. It re-entered the national park after the attack, residents said. 

CNP rhinos have recently increased their visits around human settlements near Narayangadh bazaar in Chitwan district. Almost every day, rhinos are found roaming in Barhaghare area of Belchowk in Bharatpur Metropolis-3. 

Ward Chairman Hari Prasad Acharya said rhinos have killed four people in ward number-4 in the last two years.

Officials said three rhinos were also found dead in human settlements within the past few years.

“The incidence of conflict between humans and wild animals has increased recently. It is a serious problem,” Acharya said. CNP officials have requested people to contact local police if they see rhinos prowling near their settlements with aggressive intent. 

Tusker kills youth

CHITWAN: A 23-year-old youth succumbed to his injuries after an irate elephant attacked him in Piple Gadyauli locality of Rapti Municipality-2 in Chitwan on Saturday.

Chitwan District Police Office identified the deceased as Sagar Rai, 23. Police said that the incident occurred at around 7:30 am. Local residents found the body of the deceased in the farmland.

Buffer Zone Consumers Committee Chairman Baburam Pathak said the irate elephant destroyed sugarcane plantations and ate wheat and mustard crops. 

Locals kill leopard 

in snare

ARGHAKHANCHI: A group of locals killed a leopard after it fell into a snare in Piyale forest in Arghakhanchi on Saturday morning.

The Division Forest Office said villagers attacked and injured the leopard with homemade weapons and batons after it fell into the trap.

Authorities had set up traps in two different 

places in Piyale forest 

after the leopard attacked and terrorised residents of Dhikura, Bhimikasthan Municipality-9.

A week ago, four-year-old Aryan Ghimire of Dhikura was killed in a leopard attack.

A team comprising 45 security staff and local residents hunted for the leopard and other wild animals in Dhikura, Dhakrebas, Sursing and Khanchikot forests.