Six elephants killed in eight days

The killing spree of Asian elephants continues.

Over the last eight days, six elephants were killed in shootings or electrocution across the country.

Meanwhile, another dead elephant was found buried under mud -- presumably killed by electrocution -- in Chakaria forest of Cox's Bazar yesterday.

The male elephant's body was recovered yesterday, as forest officials sent a team to conduct an autopsy.

The number of Asian elephants, categorised as endangered by the  International Union for Conservation of Nature, is dwindling due  to multiple threats across its ranges.

Rafiqul Islam Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of Wildlife and Nature Conservation Division, Chattogram, told The Daily Star that the elephant was killed by electrocution in the deep forest of Toitong in Chakaria upazila two days ago.

"On information, we recovered the body. An autopsy is underway. We have collected information about the perpetrators and will sue them after the autopsy report comes," he said.