The Forest Department detained a man and seized a generator and some electric cables in connection with the death of a wild elephant in Batkuchi Tilapara area of Madhutila Eco Park near Nalitabari border in Sherpur on Friday, said the authorities.
The wild animal died after being electrocuted on Thursday night, officials said.
Confirming the matter, Sherpur forest department’s Assistant Conservator Md Sadekul Islam Khan said the elephant aged around 10 to 12 years and it would be buried after autopsy.
He said they also identified 10 to 12 accused involved in the incident and a process was underway to take legal action under the Wildlife (Preservation and Security) Act-2012.
On Thursday night, locals spotted the dead elephant in Batkuchi Tilapara area. It got electrocuted when it came down from the hills foraging for food at night.
Locals said a herd of around 40 to 50 elephants had been coming down from the hills to raid the Aman paddy fields in the border villages of Nalitabari for several days.
Farmers had been using several ways to drive the elephants away to protect their crops.
On Thursday evening, another group of elephants descended from the hills while the farmers set up a generator's electrical connection wire in the field to deter the elephants.