Elderly wild elephant dies in Rangamati, mate seen lingering beside carcass
The Forest Department said investigations are underway to determine the cause of death. Measures have also been taken to monitor and ensure the safety of the female elephant that remained beside the dead animal.
An elderly male wild elephant has died in Langadu upazila of Rangamati, with its mate seen staying beside the carcass for an extended period, creating an emotional scene among locals.
The incident occurred in the Bhasanyadam area, where members of the Elephant Response Team discovered the carcass yesterday morning (25 April) and informed the Forest Department. Officials later visited the site and inspected the body.
According to local sources, the elephant had first fallen ill in 2024. At the time, a joint team from the Forest Department and Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University treated the animal and restored it to health. However, it became sick again twice this year and received further treatment. The elephant was considered one of the largest and oldest in the area.
The Forest Department said investigations are underway to determine the cause of death. Measures have also been taken to monitor and ensure the safety of the female elephant that remained beside the dead animal.
Md Shariful Islam, range officer of the Pablakhali Range under the Langadu Forest Department, told The Business Standard, "A general diary has been filed. Legal procedures are ongoing. The district veterinary surgeon will conduct a post-mortem. The exact cause of death will be known after the examination."
He added that the carcass will be buried following the post-mortem.
