Kanchanpur, Nov. 27 -- Wildlife officials in far-western Nepal are intensifying surveillance of two solitary male elephants that have been moving repeatedly between forest edges and settlements near Shuklaphanta National Park.

Authorities say both animals were separated from their herds and have since become more aggressive.

The two elephants-a tuskless male, locally called a makuna, and another with a missing tail, widely recognised by residents-usually travel together but away from larger herds. Locals say they often linger in the forest patches adjacent to villages before entering settlements, mostly before nightfall, to search for food. Residents report regular incidents of crop destruction, damage to houses and close encounters wit...