CHITWAN, Sept 19: Ronaldo, a 53-year-old wild elephant known for fathering 33 calves and dominating the elephant herd in Sauraha, has died after being electrocuted by a power line near a Nepal Army post in Chitwan National Park (CNP).
Ronaldo was found dead near Bishajari Lake, with a black electric wire reportedly still inside his mouth. CNP Information Officer Abinash Thapa Magar said the wire had been installed to supply electricity to the Army’s Barandabhar Post.
“The black electric wire had been installed about 17 feet above the ground. It appears the elephant came into contact with the wire while trying to eat it,” Thapa Magar said.
‘Ronaldo,’ the elephant, wreaking havoc in Chitwan
The elephant was found dead on the road, about 700 meters from the Army security post. Thapa Magar said he is believed to have died on Friday night.
Ronaldo was considered highly valuable for elephant breeding. According to park officials, 33 of the 71 calves born at the Elephant Breeding Center in Sauraha were fathered by Ronaldo. Six other elephants are currently pregnant with his offspring.
The wild bull had also gained notoriety for his aggressive behavior and was reportedly responsible for the deaths of 22 people. However, he had remained relatively calm in recent years and had established dominance over the elephant herd in Sauraha, preventing other wild male elephants from entering the area.
Ronaldo had been seen in the NCP for 24 years, according to Manpuran Mahato of the Elephant Breeding Center.
In recent weeks, another wild bull, Govinde, has taken Ronaldo’s place in Sauraha. However, Mahato said Govinde is not considered as suitable for breeding as Ronaldo.
“It is difficult for other elephants to reproduce at this level. The newly arrived Govinde cannot match Ronaldo’s breeding record,” Mahato said.
