Wolves rampage through Taplejung barns, kill livestock

KATHMANDU: Yak and cattle farmers in Yangma, a highland settlement in Taplejung, are facing repeated losses as wild wolves attack their livestock every year.

Located in Olanchungola, Phaktanglung Rural Municipality–7, the area has seen wolves entering barns and killing yaks and chauris, causing farmers to suffer losses worth millions of rupees.

Recently, three chauris were killed in the barns of local residents Lopsang Sherpa and Namgya Sherpa.

So far this year, nine chauris have been lost to wolves attacks, compared to more than 30 livestock lost last year.

Each chauri is valued at a minimum of Rs 60,000, with even higher prices if exported to Tibet.

The recurring attacks have put the main source of income for the nine households in Yangma under severe threat.

Livestock farming is the primary occupation of the residents, and wolves are especially active near the settlement during winter, preying on their animals.

Local residents have criticized the state for paying little attention to prevention or relief.

Any aid provided has been minimal, with wolves disappearing during the rainy season only to return in winter, causing further losses, said Lopsang Sherpa.

Ward Chair Cheten Sherpa acknowledged the limitations of local budgets in providing adequate relief and stressed that the federal and provincial governments need to take concrete measures.

He also suggested installing tracking devices on the wolved, similar to those used for snow leopards, to monitor their behavior and movement patterns.