Injured elephant calf transported to Safari Park, medical board formed for treatment

The elephant calf that sustained critical injuries after being hit by a train in the Chunati area on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar rail line on Sunday night (13 October) was transported to Dulahazara Safari Park this morning (15 October), nearly 40 hours after the accident. 

The Safari Park authorities have formed a medical board, including expert veterinarians from Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU), for the treatment of the injured calf.

Mazharul Islam, in charge of Dulahazara Safari Park, told The Business Standard that the elephant was transported to the safari park around 10:30am. 

"The elephant received initial treatment beside the rail line, where the accident occurred, starting Sunday morning. A relief train from the railway authority helped us transport the elephant," he added.

"A five-member medical board, headed by Professor Dr Bibek Chandra Sutradhar from CVASU, has been formed, and the expert veterinarians are on their way to the safari park," Mazharul said.

Professor Dr Bibek Chandra Sutradhar confirmed that the elephant is in critical condition. 

"We are doing our best to treat her injuries," he said.

"The calf's left leg is critically broken. A disc in her backbone is dislocated, and she has also sustained injuries to her head and other parts of her body. The calf has not been able to stand or move. Moreover, she is not eating anything, making the situation more complex," he added.

"The chances of her recovery are very slim," he said with a sigh.

The elephant entered the rail line through an unprotected pocket gate. 

During the construction of the rail line, Bangladesh Railway erected one overpass and three underpasses to allow elephants to cross safely. Additionally, walls were built on both sides of the rail line to prevent elephants from accessing the tracks.

Noor Jahan, Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation officer of Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, told The Business Standard that the pocket gates, intended for people's movement, have been left unprotected.

Holding the railway authority responsible for the accident, Noor Jahan said, "The railway authority was supposed to install steel grills at the gates, but they left them open and unprotected. The elephant calf entered the rail line through one of these gates and was hit by a train."

"A general diary has been filed with Lohagara police station in connection with the incident," she added.

Earlier, the Cox's Bazar Special Train hit the elephant calf near the overpass constructed in the Chunati area for elephants to cross the tracks around 9:30 pm on Sunday.