Rescue efforts stalled as protective mother blocks access to the body
A heartbreaking scene unfolded in the remote Barunachari village of Barkal upazila, where a wild elephant calf died after reportedly slipping from a steep hill and plunging into the waters of Kaptai Lake.
The incident, which occurred late Monday in the Liton Hill area, has left forest officials struggling to retrieve the calf’s body as the grieving mother refuses to leave its side.
“We stayed there the entire day trying to recover the baby elephant,” said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Md Rafiquzaman Shah of the Chittagong Hill Tracts North Forest Division. “But every time someone approached, the mother became aggressive and chased them away.”
Officials believe the calf’s fall was accidental. As of 9:30 p.m. Tuesday, the body remained in place, guarded by the mother. Forest staff plan to make another attempt at recovery tomorrow, after which a veterinary surgeon will conduct a post-mortem examination to confirm the cause of death.
According to DFO Rafiquzaman, around 13 to 14 elephants — including several calves — currently roam the Barunachari area under the North Forest Division.
