Wild elephant found dead in Sherpur, electrocution suspected
The elephant, estimated to be around 15–16 years old, is suspected to have died from electrocution
The Forest Department recovered the carcass of a wild elephant from the Katabari jungle in Sherpur's Nalitabari upazila this morning (5 July), reports Prothom Alo.
The elephant, estimated to be around 15–16 years old, is suspected to have died from electrocution.
Officials from the Madhutila Range retrieved the male elephant's body from a forested area near the border, Madhutila Ecopark Range Officer Dewan Ali told Prothom Alo.
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Locals and forest officials said that residents in the border region often install electric lights along fences in a bid to protect homes and crops from wild elephant attacks. The lights are meant to scare away elephants from entering human settlements and agricultural lands.
A herd of eight-ten elephants reportedly entered the northern Katabari area through the Nakugaon border last night (4 July).
"It is assumed that one of the elephants came into contact with an electric wire sometime during the night and died on the spot," said forest officials.
"It appears the elephant died from electrocution, but the exact cause will be confirmed after a post-mortem examination," Range Officer Dewan Ali said.
"We have informed higher authorities about the incident," he added.
