Elephant, rescued from swamp, dies while undergoing treatment

An Asian elephant, which was rescued from a muddy swamp in Rangunia a month ago, died while undergoing treatment in Dulahazara Safari Park in Chakaria, Cox's Bazar.

The female elephant, aged 10, died early Saturday. Asian elephants are categorised as critically endangered by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In total, 154 elephant deaths have been recorded since 2001.

Chattogram Divisional Forest Office (south) handed over the elephant to the safari park on May 13. Park authority formed a medical board for its better treatment.

Hatem Sajjad Julkarnain, member of the board and also veterinary surgeon of the Safari Park, told The Daily Star that the elephant had deep cuts believed to have been caused by sharp metal at its hind side. Some burn injuries were noticed in the middle of its back, along with head injury.

The left part of its body was paralysed and the elephant stopped eating – leaving it weak, he added.

"It was kept on saline since we received the elephant. We also administered antibiotic for its wound. But all our efforts went in vain as it stopped eating," he said.