Rajesh Rai | Phuentsholing

An elephant broke into a kitchen in Singeygang village of Tashichholing, Samtse yesterday morning.

An 86-year-old woman and her granddaughter were at the house. They escaped unhurt.

According to the granddaughter, Khem Kumari Sharma, the elephant broke into the kitchen at around 12.15am.

“We saw it 

“We were watching the elephant damage our kitchen from the bigger house we were in.”

After breaking into the kitchen, the elephant ate salt, vegetables, and pickles. It also broke a betel nut tree.

It is not the first time, Khem Kumari said. The elephant had tried to break into the kitchen recently but the damage was minor, she added.

Singeygang village in Tashichholing is the most prone area to elephant attacks. Many farmers have quit paddy cultivation in this village due to this problem.

A forest official said there is a place near the highway and the Sipsu river where the elephant had come from.

“It had been there for about four days,” the official said.

He said the area, which has land belonging to the State and private land, has become a jungle and elephants’ favourite hideout. It is favourable as the river is near.

The forest official said that they have a quick response team in case of emergencies. “The team is always active.”

In June this year, a 62-year-old farmer from Peljorling A was trampled by an elephant and dragged about five metres. The man sustained a minor injury to his knee.

A radio-collaring project is also in the pipeline, however, it is delayed due to the pandemic and the lockdowns. There are no experts in Samtse.

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