A study has documented the first physical evidence of elephant poaching in southeastern Bangladesh, highlighting a significant conservation issue. This finding is crucial for understanding the threats to local wildlife.

A recent study has uncovered the first confirmed evidence of elephant poaching in the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest in southeastern Bangladesh. This forest, which borders Myanmar, is home to diverse wildlife, including the endangered Asian elephant. Researchers found signs of elephant activity, such as footprints and dung, alongside evidence of poaching, including dried skin and bones. The poaching appears to be driven by local bushmeat consumption practices. Despite the area's remoteness, it has become a hotspot for poaching due to its accessibility from both Bangladesh and Myanmar. This finding highlights the urgent need for conservation efforts to address poaching, which has been largely overlooked in favor of human-elephant conflict discussions.