Rescued elephant ‘Raju Bahadur’ is fighting for his life at the Safari Park in Sreepur, Gazipur, after suffering severe injuries, park officials said.

The 10-year-old male elephant has been bedridden for nearly one and a half months after both his front legs were fractured in an attack by another adult male elephant at the elephant enclosure on 24 May. He was later moved to a safer location on a bed of sand with the help of a crane, where he is currently receiving treatment.

Despite ongoing treatment under the supervision of a medical board comprising local and foreign veterinary experts, there has been little improvement in his condition, raising concerns over his survival.

Gazipur Safari Park’s acting officer and Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Tarek Rahman told Daily Waadaa that advanced treatment is currently being provided under the supervision of the medical board.

“The elephant is still unable to stand,” he said.

“We are making every possible effort.”

However, a park official, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “Since sustaining serious injuries in the clash, every possible effort has been made to save him. Specialists have been brought from Thailand for his treatment. He is receiving regular care as advised by the medical board. However, his condition remains critical.”

The official added that conflicts over dominance among animals living in captivity or sharing the same habitat are not unusual, but ‘Raju Bahadur’ was severely injured in the incident.

“The elephant is taking only small amounts of food while lying down,” he said.

‘Raju Bahadur’ was rescued in January 2025 from the Kanchpur area of Narayanganj in a critically injured condition by the Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the Forest Department. The rescue followed allegations that a man named Atikur Rahman had been using the elephant for extortion.

After the rescue, the elephant was brought to the Safari Park and placed under care.