A genetic study of Asian elephants in northern Cambodia published Thursday reveals a larger and more robust population than previously thought, raising hopes the endangered species could slowly recover. Researchers from the Fauna & Flora conservation group collected samples from elephant dung in Cambodia's northern plains and extracted DNA. From the DNA they were able to identify individual elephants, estimate population size, and determine the sex of the animals and the overall genetic diversity of the population. From their work they estimated that there are 51 elephants in the Prey Lang, Preah Roka, and Chhaeb Wildlife Sanctuaries, with greater genetic diversity — a “critical factor for long-term viability,” the researchers said — than in two other areas of the country in which they live. “With sufficient suitable habitat remaining in the region, the population has the potential to grow if properly protected,” the report concludes. Overall, some 400 to 600 Asian elephants are believed to remain living in the wild in Cambodia. Researchers said the study's findings underscore the potential of the northern area studied to become a “national stronghold” for them, contributing to Cambodia's biodiversity conservation goals. “Habitat degradation, especially when it leads to fragmentation, continues to be a serious concern,” Pablo Sinovas, director of Fauna & Flora in Cambodia, told The Associated Press. Massive march storm to bring blizzards, tornadoes, flooding, and fires across US “This study provides a robust basis on which to base conservation efforts and landscape management.” The study, supported by USAID funds and Britain's People's Postcode Lottery, was conducted in collaboration with the Cambodian Environment Ministry. The genetic testing was done at the Royal University of Phnom Penh with technical support from the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. The research was carried out in the 2020-21 dry season, but Sinovas said since elephants reproduce slowly it is not thought that the population size would have changed significantly since then. Researchers want to replicate the study elsewhere in Cambodia and in other countries, such as neighboring Vietnam where the Asian elephants live in fragmented populations. “We were very pleasantly surprised by the results of the project,” said Alex Ball, conservation manager for the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland. "We now hope to expand this methodology across Cambodia and beyond, helping to build a clearer picture of Asian elephant numbers, which will inform how best we can work to help reverse the decline of these spectacular animals.”

The High Court on Monday directed the government authorities to take prompt action against elephant killings in the country. The court also issued a rule and directed the Information and Broadcasting Ministry to spread awareness on preventing elephant killings. HC bench of justice Md Mostafizur Rahman and M Enayetur Rahim passed the order during a hearing on a writ petition seeking directions to stop elephant killing across the country. The court issued a rule questioning why direction will not be given to publish a gazette announcing 12 elephant corridors as conserved following the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012. Also read: Another elephant calf found dead in Cox’s Bazar The court also questioned why inaction against preventing elephant killing by the respondents mentioned in the petition will not be announced illegal. On November 21, three wildlife activist including Adnan Azad, Farzana Yasmin filed a writ petition seeking direction on steps for ending elephant killing in Cox’s bazar, Chattogram and other areas in the country. In the petition 21 including the environment secretary, information secretary, director general of the forest department, district commissioners of Chattogram and Cox’s bazar were made respondents. Also read: Case against 4 in Sherpur over killing Asian elephant Earlier on November 9, Forest Department filed a Prosecution Offense Report case with Chattogram forest court against three people over killing a wild elephant in Satkania.

Forest officials have recovered another carcass of wild Asian elephant calf on Sunday from Islamabad hill at Eidgaon upazila in Cox’s Bazar. According to locals, around 7 am some wood cutters found the elephant dead in a 2.5 feet deep hole and informed the forest department. Md Alauddin, Rajghat bit officer under Fulchari range said the male elephant was approximately two years old and it was seven feet long, five feet wide and its trunk was 2.5 feet long. Read: Another Asian elephant found dead, this time in Chakaria reserved forest “The elephant might have died around Saturday night,” he said. Faruq Ahmed Bulbul, another officer from the Fulchari range, said the elephant might have slipped into the hole while getting down the slope. “The actual reason of death can be confirmed after the Cox’s Bazar upazila livestock officials conduct an autopsy but they have confirmed finding injury marks on its body,” said Dr Prantosh Chandra Roy Assistant Conservator of Forest of Fulchari range. Read: Elephant carcass found along Sherpur border Dipak Sharma Dipu, president of Cox’s Bazar Forest and Environment Conservation Council said in the last one year at least 10 elephants died in Cox’s Bazar. He did not rule out planned killing of the calf too. “Elephants are being killed all over the country due to forest grabbing, cultivation in forest land and for selling elephant teeth,” he said.

Police arrested a man Tuesday in South Khuniapalang area in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar for electrocuting an Asian elephant and trying to bury it after cutting off its head and legs. The arrestee was identified as Nazir Hamed, 48, said Mizanul Islam in-charge of Himchari police outpost. According to locals, Nazir and his sons Tayab Ali, 34, Md Alam, 22, and Jafar Alam, 20, planted electrocuted cables in their fields to save their crops from attack by wild elephants. On Tuesday early morning a herd of elephants came down from a nearby hill and the locals started chasing them. At one point a mother elephant got stuck in the electrocuted cables and died. While they were cutting up the elephant to bury it, police and officials of the Forest Department arrived on the scene and arrested Nazir. A case under Wildlife Preservation Act was filed in this regard against twelve including Nazir and his sons, said Humayun Kabir, divisional officer of the Cox’s Bazar south. The elephant’s body was buried after a postmortem, he said This is a very sad incident as there were just 163 Asian elephants in the forest area of Cox’s Bazar and 20 of them bred in the last two years, said Humayun. Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Ramu Pranay Chakma said a drive  is underway to arrest the others involved.