Sick wild elephant dies in Chakaria

A sick wild elephant that had been roaming around the hilly areas of Ramu Eidgarh, Chakaria Khutakhali and Naiksyangchhari Baishari in Cox's Bazar for the past few days has died.

The elephant died in Lambakhali area of ​​Khutakhali union of Chakaria upazila, said Ujjwal Hossain, range officer of Eidgaon range of the forest department around 12:30am on Saturday night ( May 16). The deceased elephant is estimated to be 30 to 35 years old.

Meanwhile, local residents said that after the elephant's death, a group of 8 to 10 wild elephants, including a baby elephant, were seen surrounding the body. They also said that the elephant's small baby elephant's pitiful cries and mournful behavior created an emotional atmosphere.

Range Officer Ujjwal Hossain said that for the past week, locals had seen a sick and physically weak wild elephant wandering around the locality in the hilly areas of Eidgarh, Khutakhali and Baishari. After receiving the information, a team of the forest department searched for it in various hilly areas for the past four days but could not find it.

Nur Mohammad, a local farmer from Lambakata area of ​​Khutakhali Union, said that the elephant had been staying in the locality in a weak and sick condition for the past two days. It had a small calf with it. The mother elephant and the calf had been roaming around his house since Friday night. Later, he informed the forest department.

He said, “On Sunday morning, the elephant was found lying dead in the same place. The cub was surrounding the dead body of its mother. The baby elephant did not leave its dead mother’s side. When people approached, the cub started screaming pitifully. At that time, the locals saw a group of 8/10 wild elephants taking a position on the hill next to the dead elephant. This spread panic among the locals. “

Range officer Ujjwal Hossain said that after receiving the news on Sunday morning, a team of the forest department visited the spot. Later, an autopsy of the dead elephant was completed with the help of a veterinary surgeon. Later, the elephant was buried on the spot.

He said that the cause of the elephant’s illness can be confirmed once the autopsy report is received.