Bangladesh has an estimated 268 resident and 93 migratory Asian elephants Elephas maximus. The species faces severe threats in Bangladesh from human–elephant conflict, with at least 124 elephants reportedly killed in the last 10 years. The regions of Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar and Sherpur are the most conflict-prone, where human settlements have encroached upon elephant corridors, and the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox’s Bazar has exacerbated human–elephant conflict.

Plate 1

(a) Elephants recorded by a camera trap in the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest, Bangladesh, near the border with Myanmar, and (b-d) elephant skin found at a poaching site in the Reserve Forest. Photos: S. Chakma.

The Sangu-Matamuhuri and Kassalong Reserve Forests, with relatively intact habitats and low human pressure, offer long-term conservation potential for elephants in Bangladesh. During multiple field surveys in the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest during 2016–2025, camera-trap data confirmed the presence of elephants, but local communities reported frequent cross-border poaching incidents. However, because of the remoteness of the area, these reports remained anecdotal. Here we present evidence of elephant poaching in the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest, bordering Rakhine State, Myanmar, an issue that had remained undocumented in this region until now.

A four-member team visited a remote area of the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest during 23–25 April 2025. Along the trail and transects numerous signs of elephant activity were observed, including dung, footprints and evidence of foraging on plants such as wild banana and bamboo. All elephant signs encountered appeared to be c. 2–4 months old, a timeframe that was corroborated by our experienced local guide. According to local reports, the elephants frequent the area during the dry season (November–March) but are largely absent in summer, when they are believed to remain within Myanmar. On one of the transects, we encountered a poaching site, an elevated bamboo platform c. 3 m long and 1 m high, with a fire pit beneath, abandoned baskets, dried elephant skin and bones. The evidence suggest the platform was used for drying elephant meat, consistent with local hunting practices of smoking bushmeat for preservation. The decayed platform and condition of the remains suggest the site was 1–1.5 months old, indicating the poaching occurred between early and late March.

Although the identity of the hunting party could not be confirmed, local sources indicated that hunting groups from both Bangladesh and Myanmar operate in this area. The absence of fencing or border patrols along the international boundary facilitates such cross-border hunting activities. This incident, supported by community accounts, confirms that elephant poaching is underreported and poses a threat to the remaining elephant populations in the border areas between Bangladesh’s Sangu-Matamuhuri forests and Myanmar’s Rakhine and Chin states. Without appropriate conservation measures, these elephants could disappear from this region.