Trunk, leg hacked off dead wild elephant in Rangamati before autopsy could be conducted
Forest officials said heavy rainfall and deteriorated road conditions have delayed the arrival of the veterinary team assigned for the autopsy
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.
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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.
