A captive elephant named Sundormala died after being struck by a train in Sylhet, highlighting the risks of captive elephant use at weddings and events despite existing regulations in Bangladesh today.
A 42-year-old captive elephant died on Monday after suffering critical injuries when it was struck by a train in northeastern Bangladesh, despite prolonged rescue and veterinary efforts by multiple government agencies and animal welfare groups.
The elephant, named Sundormala, was hit late Saturday night while being led across railway tracks in the Shibbari area of South Surma near Sylhet city. The impact threw the animal into a water-filled ditch beside the tracks, leaving it severely injured and unable to move.
A joint rescue operation was carried out on Sunday afternoon by the local administration, the Forest Department, police, Fire Service, livestock officials and veterinary experts from agricultural universities. Using heavy machinery and ropes, rescuers managed to pull the elephant out of the ditch after several hours.
Veterinarians said Sundormala remained in critical condition after the rescue. The elephant was unable to stand, showed signs of paralysis in its hindquarters and had abdominal swelling and visible spinal injuries. Emergency treatment was provided, but her condition continued to deteriorate.
The elephant died around midday on Monday.
“The spinal trauma and prolonged stress likely caused multiple organ failure or a fatal cardiac event,” said Rakibul Haque, founder and chairman of the Dhaka-based People for Animal Welfare Foundation, who was involved in the treatment efforts.
Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer Mohammad Abdur Rahman confirmed the death, saying the elephant was too seriously injured to be relocated after the rescue. “She had to remain at the site due to her condition and despite treatment, she could not survive,” he said.
Kamrul Islam, a resident of Kulaura in neighbouring Moulvibazar district, owned Sundormala. Officials said the elephant had been rented for public events, including weddings and fairs and was returning from a programme when the accident occurred. Two handlers were accompanying the animal at the time and one of them was also injured.
Animal welfare groups also noted that Sundormala had recently lost her only calf, a seven-year-old male named Bir Bahadur, who is now left without its mother. The calf had earlier drawn attention after forest officials intervened to stop traditional training practices named Hadani and reunited it with its mother in a nearby forest.
The incident has renewed concerns over the continued use of captive elephants at social and religious events in Bangladesh, often involving nighttime movement and unsafe crossings of highways and railway tracks. Although regulations exist governing the use and transport of captive elephants, enforcement remains weak outside forest areas.
Sohanur Rahman, climate justice activist and Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, called for an end to the practice and accountability following an investigation.
“This is not an accident. It is the outcome of a cruel and outdated culture that treats elephants as entertainment for weddings and social events,” Sohanur said. “Captive elephants are repeatedly put at risk to satisfy human prestige while organisers escape responsibility.”
Bangladesh is home to both wild and captive elephants, but fatal incidents involving trains, roads and captive animal movement have increased in recent years amid rapid infrastructure expansion. Conservationists warn that without strict enforcement of animal welfare laws and a ban on the use of elephants in social ceremonies, similar tragedies are likely to continue.
Sohanur concluded, “There must be justice after proper investigation. Justice against those who keep elephants in captivity for profit, those who hire them for weddings and fairs and accountability from the Railway Department if safety protocols failed. Otherwise, these deaths will continue.”
