Elderly man killed in elephant attack in Ctg's Karnaphuli

An elderly man was killed after being attacked by a wild elephant in the Karnaphuli upazila of Chattogram on Wednesday night (11 September). 

The incident occurred at around 11pm in Daulatpur (Ward No. 1), Saudagar House of Barauthan Union. 

The victim, identified as 57-year-old Mohammad Sayed, also known as Lutu Mia, was the son of Abul Khair, a resident of the same area.

Karnaphuli Police Station's Inspector (Investigation) Mehedi Hasan confirmed the incident to The Business Standard and said, "Upon receiving the information, a police team was dispatched to the scene. Arrangements have been made to recover the body and send it to the morgue."

Barauthan Union Parishad Chairman Mohammad Didarul Alam said, "Sayed was on his way to a nearby house for work when he suddenly encountered the wild elephant. Despite attempting to flee, he fell, and the elephant trampled him to death on the spot."

This marks the second elephant attack in the area in recent days. 

Earlier, last Saturday, a Korean investor sustained critical injuries after being attacked by an elephant at the Golf Course of the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ).

Chairman Didarul Alam added, "People are dying from elephant attacks repeatedly, but the administration and the forest department are not taking any action. They offer financial support to the victims' families and then go back to sleep."

Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer Dipannita Bhattacherjee, from the Chattogram Forest Department, explained that areas such as Karnaphuli, Anwara, and Banshkhali have become increasingly vulnerable to elephant attacks. This is primarily due to a shortage of food in the forest, forcing elephants to venture into localities in search of sustenance.

"The invasion of people into forest areas, cutting down trees, and building homes has destroyed the natural habitat of wild animals," Dipannita said. 

"Relocating the elephants is not an option, as the forests of Karnaphuli, Anwara, and Banshkhali are historically significant habitats for these elephants," she added.