Another elephant died in an electric trap in Chakaria. Photo : BSS

COX'S BAZAR, Feb 12, 2025 (BSS) - Forest Department today recovered the body of an elephant from the Ghunia area of the Phansiakhali union of Chakaria upazila, as it died possibly after being electrocuted at the trap of tobacco field besides the hills.

Locals said the elephant died in an electric trap set to protect the tobacco field. 

However, the Forest Department officials said that the matter can be confirmed after the autopsy.

Mehraj Uddin, an officer of the Phansiakhali Range of the Cox's Bazar North Forest Department, said that many people have said the elephant died after falling into an electric trap. 

He added, "It's not possible to say the reason of death immediately without an autopsy."

The officer said that apparently they didn't find any sign of sickness of the elephant, which was aged 40-42 years. 

Chakaria Upazila Livestock Officer has been informed to do an autopsy of the elephant's body.

When this correspondent visited the areas, some local residents alleged that there are tobacco fields all over the vast hilly areas of ??Chakaria upazila and farmers are using electric traps to protect their tobacco fields from wild elephant attacks. 

Officials said that in January last year, the Chakaria Upazila administration and the Forest Department jointly held several awareness meetings against killing elephants using electric traps with local farmers in different areas of Phansiakhali. 

Electric traps were also removed from some tobacco fields in Ghunia area with the initiative of Phansiakhali Forest Range. The incident occurred in the same area. The Forest Department recovered the body at 7am Wednesday.