Forest Department officials have recovered the carcass of an elephant buried beneath a hut in a remote forest area of Cox’s Bazar’s Chakaria upazila on Thursday (26 March).

The discovery was made in Kakara union after a strong foul smell spread across the area over the past few days, alarming local residents.

According to officials, the elephant, aged around 10 years, was killed approximately one month ago, either by gunfire or by electrocution using a generator.

During a routine patrol, staff of the Nolbila Beat Check Station traced the source of the odour and found the carcass buried beneath a makeshift hut in the deep forest.

Officials suspect the structure was built to conceal the body.

A team comprising Forest Department officials, police and veterinary experts later visited the site and recovered the remains by digging beneath the hut.

Fasiakhali Range Forest Officer Md Sadekur Rahman said, “The elephant was either shot dead or killed by electrocution using a generator. Due to the advanced state of decomposition, laboratory tests will be conducted to confirm the exact cause of death.”

He added that strict legal action is being taken against those involved under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act.

“The process of filing a case against both unidentified and identified suspects is currently underway,” he said.

Officials from the Forest Department, Chakaria Police Station and Faitong outpost, as well as personnel from Nolbila and Faitong forest beats, took part in the operation.

A veterinary surgeon from Dulahazara Safari Park conducted a post-mortem examination of the carcass at the site.