A wild elephant was shot dead in Eidgaon Islamabad of Cox’s Bazar Sadar upazila.

Locals found the dead elephant at the foot of the Camperchar hill under the Fulchhari range of the northern forest division on Sunday.

Rajghat Forest Beat Officer Md Hasan said the forest department came to know of the dead elephant through local woodcutters.

“The elephant found itself at a pepper field near Fulchhari forest in search of food. Later, the animal was shot dead thinking it would damage the crop,” he added.

The forest department is investigating the incident to identify the people behind the killing, he also added.

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According to reliable sources, a local gang has been killing wild elephants for a long time. They kill the elephants for ivory, skin and various body parts which fetch large sums of money.

Another source, who did not want to be named, said the group has been carrying out their activities with the help of some people within the forest department.