A wild elephant that was severely injured after being hit by a train in Chittagong’s Lohagara has died while receiving treatment.
The elephant passed away at the Dulahazara Safari Park in Cox's Bazar at 5:30pm on Tuesday.
The elephant was injured when it collided with a Dhaka-Cox's Bazar special train late Monday night and was brought to the safari park for advanced treatment early Tuesday morning.
Mazharul Islam, the range officer at Dulahazara Safari Park, confirmed the news.
"Despite our best efforts, we were unable to save the injured elephant. This morning, a team of doctors from the local forest department, Chunati Beat, and Dulahazara Safari Park rescued the elephant from the accident site using a crane. The elephant was then transported to the safari park by a railway relief train, where it received continuous medical attention. Sadly, despite all efforts, the elephant died at 5:30pm."
Mazharul Islam added: "The elephant was estimated to be 8 to 10 years old. It suffered significant bleeding due to injuries on its head and legs. The doctors administered pain relief medication and various treatments, but ultimately, it was not enough."
According to the Lohagara Chunati Forest Department, a herd of six elephants had been roaming the sanctuary since Sunday evening.
To prevent elephants from entering the railway line, boundary walls were constructed on both sides of the elephant overpass. However, a small pathway for movement was left on the north side of the overpass, where a young female elephant got separated from the herd.
Around 9:30pm, the Eid Special-10 train, which had departed from Cox's Bazar, struck the elephant from behind, causing severe injuries. The elephant suffered a broken back right leg, along with serious injuries to its head and spine. Upon receiving news of the accident, a veterinarian was brought from Dulahazara Safari Park that night to provide initial treatment, including pain relief injections and various medications.
