An injured domesticated elephant, which was hit by a train and lay trapped in a roadside ditch for nearly 17 hours in Sylhet, died on Monday despite prolonged rescue efforts and intensive treatment.

The elephant succumbed to its injuries around 12:30pm on Monday (January 19) at Shibbari area of South Surma upazila, confirmed Mohammad Abdur Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer of Sylhet, and Prof Dr Sultan Ahmed of Sylhet Agricultural University (SAU), who led the medical treatment team.

Critical injuries proved fatal

According to forest officials, the elephant’s condition was critical from the moment it was rescued. It suffered severe spinal injuries and paralysis of its hindquarters, making it impossible to relocate the animal to a safer place. As a result, treatment had to be administered at the site.

“Despite all possible efforts, the elephant could not survive. The injuries were extremely severe,” said DFO Mohammad Abdur Rahman.How the accident occurred

Local administration and eyewitnesses said the incident took place around 10:00pm on Saturday (January 17) when the elephant was attempting to cross the railway tracks in the Shibbari area. An intercity train struck the animal, causing it to lose balance and fall into an adjacent ditch beside the railway line. The elephant’s mahout was also injured in the accident.

Locals identified the train as the Dhaka-bound Kalni Express. However, Nurul Islam, Station Master of Sylhet Railway Station, said that although they had heard about the incident, no official written report had yet been received by the railway authorities.

17 hours trapped, long rescue operation

After the accident, the elephant remained trapped in the ditch for nearly 17 hours. A joint rescue operation was finally launched on Sunday (January 18) at around 2:30pm, involving the Fire Service, Forest Department, local administration, police, District Livestock Office, and veterinary experts from Sylhet Agricultural University.

Following the rescue, a medical team was formed to treat the elephant. Veterinarians said the train impact caused serious damage to the spinal cord, resulting in complete paralysis of the hind legs. There were also fears of fractures in the rear limbs.

Due to lying in the same position for an extended period, the elephant’s abdomen became severely swollen, and its physical condition deteriorated rapidly.

Medical efforts failed

Prof Dr Sultan Ahmed said the elephant was treated with steroids, antihistamines, saline, and other necessary medications. Senior forest officials from Dhaka and a faculty member from Jahangirnagar University also visited the site.

“Unfortunately, the spinal injury was so severe that the elephant could not be made to stand even once,” he said.

Ownership and background

Forest Department and local sources said the elephant was owned by Kamrul Islam of Kulaura upazila in Moulvibazar district. The animal had reportedly been brought to Sylhet a few days earlier to participate in a wedding ceremony. The presence of a howdah on its back confirmed that it was a domesticated elephant.

After the rescue, the Forest Department handed the elephant back to its owner’s custody, though it remained at the accident site due to its critical condition.

Why the elephant could not be saved

Multiple sources involved in the treatment cited several combined reasons for the elephant’s death:

Direct and severe spinal injury from the train collision

Prolonged entrapment in the ditch

Complete paralysis of the hind body

Inability to move and severe abdominal swellingTogether, these factors made survival impossible.Questions over responsibilityThe incident has raised several critical questions:Why was such a risky railway crossing attempted with a domesticated elephant?

Were proper permissions and safety measures in place for moving the elephant?

Why has the railway authority yet to submit an official report?The Forest Department said the matter is under investigation and legal action will be taken if necessary.

An irreparable loss to national heritage

Experts say elephants are a vital part of Bangladesh’s natural heritage and biodiversity. The death of an elephant is not just the loss of a single animal, but a significant blow to the country’s ecological and natural assets.

The tragic death of the elephant in Sylhet has once again highlighted serious gaps in domesticated elephant management, railway safety, and state oversight in protecting wildlife and working animals.