Ailing Shibganj elephant to be moved to Gazipur Safari Park for treatment

An ailing elephant in Shibganj, Bogura, which has been suffering from illness for a long time, is being taken to Gazipur Safari Park for treatment.

The Forest Department said preparations have been made to send the elephant there by Saturday afternoon, Matlubur Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer of Social Forestry in Bogura, confirmed the matter to Daily Waada.

He said the elephant's owner would bring the sick animal to Rajasthan in Shibganj from Mahadebpur in Naogaon. After completing the necessary procedures, it will be sent to Gazipur Safari Park for treatment.

SM Sabur Alam, the owner of the elephant from Rajasthan in Shibganj Upazila of Bogura, said that he had purchased the elephant in 2011.

In 2014, one of the elephant's tusks was seriously injured in an accident. Although it was later treated in Dhaka, an infection gradually developed at the root of the tusk, creating a wound.

He said that Forest Department officials had begun checking on the elephant over the past few days. The elephant is now being taken to Gazipur Safari Park for advanced treatment under an initiative by the Forest Department.

It is currently in Mahadebpur, Naogaon, where mahout Saidul Islam is taking care of it.

Earlier, the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association (BAWA) came forward to facilitate the elephant's rescue and treatment.

There are allegations that despite being ill, the elephant was used in circus performances and taken to fairs across the country.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Ziaur Rahman said that the Forest Department is carrying out the rescue operation. Preparations are being completed to send the elephant to Gazipur Safari Park for treatment by Saturday afternoon.

Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Shibganj Police Station, Md Shahinuzzaman, said that the matter is currently being monitored by the Forest Department, which is taking the necessary measures.