A wild elephant that came down sick from the hills to the plains in Ramu upazila of Cox's Bazar has died. It happened on the afternoon of Thursday (6 July) at Kechubania in Dariardighi, Khuniapalong union.

Samir Ranjan Saha, Cox's Bazar Sadar range officer of the Cox's Bazar South Forest Division, said the elephant died of a brain haemorrhage due to old age.

Citing local people, Rajarkul range officer Nazmul Hasan of the same division said an elephant suddenly came down from the hills into the marshland at dawn and was running in all directions. In the morning it collapsed on the west side of Kechubania Government Primary School, and locals informed the forest department.

The range officer said forest department staff went to the spot on receiving the news. While they were observing the elephant, it tried to stand but failed. It was treated by the veterinary surgeon of Dulahazara Safari Park and the Ramu upazila livestock officer, but it could not be brought back to normal. The elephant died at around 4pm.

Md Sarwar Alam, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Cox's Bazar South Forest Division, told Jagonews the medical team said the elephant died of a brain haemorrhage. It was a male aged about 50–60 years, and the doctors believe it fell ill and died because of its age. Even so, samples were collected to establish the exact cause of death before the elephant was buried.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.