Elephant pair seen standing by dead calf for three days

A pair of elephants was seen standing beside the body of their dead calf for three consecutive days in Naikhongchhari upazila of Bandarban.

Around noon yesterday, the calf’s body was retrieved from Bottola Muslimpara under Sonaichhari union, near the Myanmar border, and a post‑mortem was conducted under the Rajarkul Range of Cox’s Bazar South Forest Division before burial.

Locals reported that the calf’s mother remained in a shallow ditch with the body, while a male elephant stood nearby. While both left to forage at some point, they returned eventually.

Md Tanvir Chowdhury, range officer of Naikhongchhari, said they rushed to the spot after receiving information three days ago. However, they could not immediately recover the body due to the presence of the calf’s mother.

The cause of death will be confirmed after the report, he added. Forest officials confirmed the calf was buried after recovery.

Md Mostafizur Rahman, divisional forest officer of Lama, noted that the area lies along an elephant corridor, and it is suspected the calf may have slipped from a hill and fallen into the ditch.