Two elephants, including rescued Raju Bahadur, die at Sreepur Safari Park

The elephant ‘Raju Bahadur’, rescued from Narayanganj, has died after receiving treatment for around two and a half months at Gazipur Safari Park in Sreepur, Gazipur. Just one day earlier, another elephant died at the same park. 

Raju Bahadur, estimated to be about nine years old, died on the morning of August 7 while undergoing treatment at the park. 

He had been rescued from Narayanganj in January 2025, where he had reportedly been used to collect money from people on roads and in markets. 

According to park authorities, Raju Bahadur suffered a serious leg injury after being knocked down by another elephant inside the elephant enclosure. His condition deteriorated despite treatment by local and foreign veterinary experts, including specialists from Thailand. 

The acting officer of Gazipur Safari Park, Tarek Rahman, confirmed the deaths on Wednesday night. 

He said another adult elephant died on August 6, a day before Raju Bahadur.

The second elephant had reportedly been suffering from a bacterial infection and had been receiving treatment for an extended period.

Authorities have collected samples from both elephants and sent them to a laboratory to determine the exact causes of death.

The Forest Department has granted permission for both elephants to be buried inside the safari park.

Following the two deaths, the number of elephants at Gazipur Safari Park has fallen to eight.