Wild elephant found dead in Ukhiya
Local residents highlighted the persistent conflict between humans and elephants, primarily driven by food scarcity in the hills, which forces the animals into human settlements
Forest Department officials recovered the carcass of a wild elephant this morning (18 November) in Ukhiya upazila of Cox's Bazar, with initial findings suggesting the animal was electrocuted after being caught in a trap set near a human settlement.
The incident occurred sometime late last night (17 November) in a beel adjacent to Paschim Khairati Rahmaniya Para in Ukhiya's Rajapalang union, confirmed Mohammad Abdul Mannan, range officer of the Ukhiya Forest Division.
The deceased elephant was approximately 40 to 45 years old, he said, adding that officials observed black burn marks on several parts of its body, leading them to initially conclude that the animal died from electrocution after falling into an "illegal trap" set by people.
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Mannan reported that locals first spotted the large elephant lying dead in the field in the morning and immediately informed the local Union Parishad member. A team of forest officials then rushed to the site to recover the carcass.
Local residents highlighted the persistent conflict between humans and elephants, primarily driven by food scarcity in the hills, which forces the animals into human settlements. This encroachment has recently increased, leading to elephants damaging crops and homesteads.
Md Yunus, a local resident and village doctor, stated that many residents resort to setting up electric traps to protect their fields and homes from the encroaching wildlife. This practice frequently results in the electrocution of wild elephants entering the locality.
Range Officer Mannan said the elephant's body was being prepared for burial following a post-mortem examination.
An investigation is underway to confirm the cause of death and identify those responsible for the illegal electric trap, he added.
According to the Forest Department, a total of five wild elephants have died in the Ukhiya and Teknaf areas between 1 January and 28 November this year. Among the elephants, a mother elephant died in Teknaf, two in Hnila beat area and Jumchhari, one in Dochhari and this one in Ukhiya.
