Bullet-hit body of elephant found in Cox's Bazar forest

The forest department of Cox's Bazar found the body of an elephant with bullet marks in Cox's Bazar sadar upazila.

Upon information, a team of Cox's Bazar (north) divisional forest department reached Campchhari area under Eidgah union at yesterday noon and found the wild animal, said Touhidul Islam, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Cox's Bazar (north), today.

Dr Nebulal Dutta, veterinary surgeon of Cox's Bazar Sadar upazila livestock office, said a team of surgeons led by him went to the reserve forest area and determined the cause of death to be a bullet injury close to the eyes of the mammal.

The body had begun decomposing, said the doctor, adding it had bled to death from the injury four days ago.

DFO Touhidul Islam further said it was impossible to locate the body earlier due to a manpower shortage.

They have been campaigning to create awareness among the people to save elephants, he also said.

Locals claimed the elephant was shot by a man to protect his orchard, reports our Chattogram correspondent.