Elephant found dead in Ctg; tusk, nails reportedly smuggled

The Forest Department has recovered the body of an elephant inside the dense forest at Jaldi Sanctuary in Chattogram's Banshkhali upazila.

The body was recovered from the Monumar Jhiri area under Chechuria Beat of Forest Department's Chattogram South unit today (9 April), said officials.

Locals claimed that the elephant did not die of natural causes and alleged that the tooth and nails of the elephant were smuggled.

Officer of Chechuria Beat Mohammad Shah Alam said, "We were informed about the dead elephant last evening [8 April]. It was buried this morning after an autopsy."

"We are suspecting that the seven- to eight-year-old elephant died due to a stroke a few days ago. The body has started to rot, but nothing can be said for sure until we get the autopsy report," he added.

Replying to a question, Alam said some unidentified people have taken away the tooth and nails of the elephant.

"We are taking preparations for filing a case in this regard to find the culprits," he further said.

Divisional Forest Officer of Chattogram South Forest Department, Abdullah Al Mamun, told The Business Standard that the elephant was killed by local poachers. "We found injury marks caused by sharp weapons at the back and neck of the elephant."

He added, "I have already visited the scene. We got the information that a group of four indigenous people roamed around the forest with sharp weapons. We suspect they might have killed the elephant after trapping it and later took away the tooth and nails for smuggling."

"We have filed a GD today and will file a case tomorrow to bring the poachers to book", he also said.