Owner Seeks Prime Ministerial Intervention for Injured Elephant at Gazipur Safari Park
Photo Collected
The owner of a 12-year-old elephant named Raju Bahadur has appealed for government intervention following a brutal attack by another elephant at the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur. Md. Atiqur Rahman, a former chairman of Kulaura’s Karmadha Union Parishad, has petitioned the Chief Conservator of Forests seeking urgent specialized medical care for the animal and financial compensation for the permanent injuries sustained during the incident.
According to reports, the attack occurred on May 24 when another elephant within the park’s enclosure charged at Raju Bahadur. The impact caused the younger elephant to collapse, resulting in a fractured leg and severe trauma to its other limbs. Park authorities attempted to stabilize the animal by using a crane to hoist it onto a sand dune, and a medical board was subsequently formed to oversee its recovery. By early June, two wildlife specialists were flown in from Thailand to consult on the treatment, but the animal remains unable to stand and continues to deteriorate.
বিজ্ঞাপন
Safari Park officials noted that the facility currently houses 10 elephants. Acting officer-in-charge Tareq Rahman explained that while four male elephants are kept shackled, the female elephants roam freely, occasionally approaching the males. Officials maintained that the incident was unforeseen and that medical efforts have been continuous. Despite these efforts, the elephant has shown little improvement, struggles with appetite, and has failed multiple attempts to be raised to its feet.
Raju Bahadur was originally rescued by the Wildlife Crime Control Unit in January 2025, after it was discovered being used for public solicitation in Narayanganj. Atiqur Rahman, whose family has a multi-generational history of elephant husbandry, remains the registered owner of the animal. He holds the government responsible for the safety of the elephant while under the park’s care, noting that he is already embroiled in a separate legal battle in India to recover the elephant’s mother, who was detained by Indian authorities after crossing the border in September 2024.
বিজ্ঞাপন
In his formal application submitted on July 1, Rahman estimated the elephant’s market value at 30 to 40 lakh taka, citing an additional 30 to 40 lakh taka spent on its care and maintenance. He has urged the authorities to prioritize the survival of the animal, describing it as a national asset, and is seeking high-level administrative intervention to ensure it receives the necessary resources to survive the life-threatening injuries.
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