Department of Forest (DoF) has taken steps to ensure round-the-clock monitoring and proper treatment of the injured wild elephant hit by a train at Chunati in Cox’s Bazar.
The 10-12 years old female elephant was critically injured after being hit by a train on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar railway route adjacent to the Chunati Sanctuary range of Cox's Bazar on Sunday night.
As per the special instructions of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Adviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the measures have been taken to avoid crowding at the spot and for the safety of the elephant.
The ministry has formed a medical team involving physicians of Safari Park headed by Professor Dr Bibek Chandra Sutradhar of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University.
On his advice, the Safari Park veterinary officer, his assistant and two mahouts are providing continuous treatment to the injured elephant.
All preparations, including using of cranes, have been made to shift the elephant to the safari park.
However, since the water is deep in the area near the spot and the ground is soft due to heavy rains, it becomes difficult to reach a crane or any vehicle to the elephant.
The assistance of Bangladesh Railways has been sought and the railway authorities have assured of cooperation by giving relief train tomorrow morning to rescue the elephant from the spot.
Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department in Chittagong, told the Dhaka Tribune: "The elephant is seriously injured, with a broken leg and spine. Our doctors are treating the elephant based on advice from a veterinary surgeon at Dulahazra Safari Park in Cox's Bazar. Treatment is ongoing, and given the severity of the injuries, we cannot say much at this moment."
He further stated that, as far as he knows, this elephant was one of seven owned by a single individual. The injury occurred on Sunday night when the elephant was crossing the railway line.
In a social media post, animal rights activist and PAW Foundation Chairman Rakibul Emil mentioned: "Crowd management is a primary task. The young elephant is writhing in pain all over its body and is mentally distressed by the crowd. We often overlook this mental trauma."
"This is not a circus. I've seen before that some individuals are indifferent to crowd management. I spoke with the attending vet, and it seems a broken bone has penetrated the muscle. There are signs of head trauma. Blood is coming from its trunk, and it is suspected that a disc in its spine has shifted. I pray that this baby elephant passes away quickly. A wild animal suffering half-ill is under immense mental stress," he added.
The elephant sustained serious injuries after being struck by a passenger train in Lohagara upazila in Chittagong.
The incident took place around 8:30pm on Sunday when a Chittagong-bound train from Cox’s Bazar collided with a herd of elephants near the Elephant Overpass in the Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, said Mahmud Hossain, range officer of Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary.