Trunk, leg hacked off dead wild elephant in Rangamati before autopsy could be conducted

Parts of a dead wild elephant, including its trunk and a
hind leg, were cut off by unidentified people in the dark of night in
Rangamati's Longadu upazila, even before an autopsy could be conducted.
More than 48 hours after the
elephant's death, the post-mortem examination has yet to be carried out.
Members of an elephant response
team spotted the carcass on Saturday (25 April) and informed the Forest
Department. Officials later visited the site and inspected the body.
According to locals and forest officials, the elderly male
elephant had been suffering from illness for a long time.
It first fell sick in 2024 and was
treated by the Forest Department along with a medical team from Chattogram
Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), after which it recovered.
The elephant was treated twice this
year after falling ill. It was considered one of the largest aged elephants in
the area.
After its death, a female companion
elephant was seen staying beside the carcass for two days.
There were also allegations that some people tried to provoke the animal during
this time.
Forest officials said heavy
rainfall and deteriorated road conditions have delayed the arrival of the
veterinary team assigned for the autopsy.
They added that the cause of death
would be determined once the post-mortem is completed.
The Forest Department said legal
proceedings have been initiated over the incident, and the elephant will be
buried after the autopsy.
Pablakhali Range Officer Md
Shariful Islam told The Business Standard that a single guard can't control a
large number of people.
"When the guard left the spot
at night due to security concerns, miscreants took the opportunity," he
said, adding that an investigation is underway to identify those involved and
take legal action.
"The female elephant returned
to the forest at night, leaving the carcass unattended, at which point the
miscreants cut off the trunk and one hind leg. The guard discovered the
incident the following morning," he added.
















