October 22, 2025
RANGAMATI – A wild elephant calf has died in Barunachari village of Barkal upazila, Rangamati, after reportedly slipping from a steep hill and falling into the waters of Kaptai Lake, according to the Chittagong Hill Tracts North Forest Division.
The incident occurred in the Liton Hill area. Officials believe the accident took place on Monday night (October 20).
The exact age of the dead calf has not yet been confirmed.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Md Rafiquzaman Shah today said attempts were made to recover the calf’s body but were unsuccessful as the mother elephant remained nearby, preventing rescuers from approaching.
“We stayed there all day and tried to rescue the baby elephant, but could not, because the mother elephant was standing next to it and chased away anyone who came close,” he said.
As of filing this report at 9:30 pm, the calf’s body had not been recovered. The forest department plans to attempt recovery again tomorrow, after which a post-mortem by a veterinary surgeon will determine the exact cause of death.
DFO Rafiquzaman added that there are currently 13 to 14 elephants, including calves, in the Barunachari area under the North Forest Division.