Published: TUESDAY August 25, 2026: 'BROKEN GIANTS: An Elephant's Life in Chains' by ZUMA Press award winning photo-journalist KM Asad: Badsha Bahadur, a 55-year-old Asian elephant used for decades in Bangladesh circus acts and roadside shows, was rescued in July 2026 after social media posts revealed his severe emaciation and poor health. His case has sparked broader conversations about the care of captive animals and the enforcement of national wildlife protection laws. Bahadur was left with a broken, infected tusk, an injured leg, and a handler unable to afford his basic care. While Bahadur's rehabilitation is a step forward, his situation points to a broader need for systemic oversight. Bangladesh's Wildlife Conservation and Security Act places the responsibility for wildlife management and protection on the state, making it clear that captive animal welfare is a public matter. Ensuring that stories like Bahadur's do not repeat will require consistent enforcement of these laws and a stronger commitment to long-term care over commercial use. Welcome to 'BROKEN GIANTS: An Elephant's Life in Chains'
© zReportage.com Issue #1052 Story of the Week: Published: TUESDAY August 25, 2026: 'BROKEN GIANTS: An Elephant's Life in Chains' by ZUMA Press award winning photo-journalist KM Asad: Badsha Bahadur, a 55-year-old Asian elephant used for decades in Bangladesh circus acts and roadside shows, was rescued in July 2026 after social media posts revealed his severe emaciation and poor health. His case has sparked broader conversations about the care of captive animals and the enforcement of national wildlife protection laws. Bahadur was left with a broken, infected tusk, an injured leg, and a handler unable to afford his basic care. While Bahadur's rehabilitation is a step forward, his situation points to a broader need for systemic oversight. Bangladesh's Wildlife Conservation and Security Act places the responsibility for wildlife management and protection on the state, making it clear that captive animal welfare is a public matter. Ensuring that stories like Bahadur's do not repeat will require consistent enforcement of these laws and a stronger commitment to long-term care over commercial use. Welcome to 'BROKEN GIANTS: An Elephant's Life in Chains'
An Asian elephant at Thakurgawn. Historically, non-resident wild herds descended from the hills of India's Meghalaya State into northeastern Bangladeshi districts. They traveled between December and May to forage during the rice harvesting season.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Veterinary staff are treating the infected tusk of Badsha Bahadur, a 55-year-old circus elephant. He was rescued from Naogaon and transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo. His body bore the marks of years of suffering with multiple wounds and a damaged tusk, and he seemed to have lost all his strength after a lifetime of hardship. While the veterinarians are doing all they can to treat him, it is impossible not to wonder how he was allowed to reach this condition.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Veterinary staff are treating the infected tusk of Badsha Bahadur, a 55-year-old circus elephant. He was rescued from Naogaon and transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo. His body bore the marks of years of suffering with multiple wounds and a damaged tusk, and he seemed to have lost all his strength after a lifetime of hardship. While the veterinarians are doing all they can to treat him, it is impossible not to wonder how he was allowed to reach this condition.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Veterinary staff treat the wounds of Badsha Bahadur, a 55-year-old circus elephant. He was rescued from Naogaon and transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo. His body bore the marks of years of suffering with multiple wounds and a damaged tusk, and he seemed to have lost all his strength after a lifetime of hardship. While the veterinarians are doing all they can to treat him, it is impossible not to wonder how he was allowed to reach this condition.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Veterinary staff are treating the infected foot of Badsha Bahadur, a 55-year-old circus elephant. He was rescued from Naogaon and transferred to the Bangladesh National Zoo. His body bore the marks of years of suffering with multiple wounds and a damaged tusk, and he seemed to have lost all his strength after a lifetime of hardship. While the veterinarians are doing all they can to treat him, it is impossible not to wonder how he was allowed to reach this condition.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
This elephant is performing an act after receiving a command from its mahout in the Juri Upazila area of Moulvibazar. A mahout is a traditional elephant rider, trainer, and lifelong caretaker. The craft has historically been passed down through generations within specific tribal or ethnic groups.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A four-year-old elephant that had been tied up with rope for a few days was being trained to work in an isolated tea garden in the Juri Upazila area of Moulvibazar. When questioned, the owner replied that they were trying to train the elephant using a traditional method called ''hadani.' Young elephants are tied up and physically immobilized during traditional training, a highly controversial and brutal practice known across South and Southeast Asia.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A mahout with his trained elephant in the Juri Upazila area of Moulvibazar, A mahout is a traditional elephant rider, trainer, and lifelong caretaker. The craft has historically been passed down through generations within specific tribal or ethnic groups.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A rope to control an elephant in Thakurgawn. After spending decades in circuses and roadside exhibitions, Bahadur was left with a broken, infected tusk, an injured leg, and a handler unable to afford his basic care.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
This elephant is performing an act after receiving a command from its mahout in the Juri Upazila area of Moulvibazar. A mahout is a traditional elephant rider, trainer, and lifelong caretaker. The craft has historically been passed down through generations within specific tribal or ethnic groups.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Drone view of a traditional circus in Dinajpur. The use of elephants in circuses in Bangladesh is now strictly illegal, banned under the same historic 2024 High Court ruling that outlawed street begging.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A boy stands in front of a colorful circus tent in Thakurgaon, Bangladesh. The use of elephants in circuses in Bangladesh is now strictly illegal, banned under the same historic 2024 High Court ruling that outlawed street begging.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Children gathered to watch an elephant being tied up with a rope in front of a circus tent in Thakurgawn. The use of elephants in circuses in Bangladesh is now strictly illegal, banned under the same historic 2024 High Court ruling that outlawed street begging.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A member of the troupe gets ready for her performance at a circus show in Dinajpur, Bangladesh.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
An elephant performed a football routine at a circus show in Thakurgawn in early 2024 before the nationwide ban on elephants performing in circuses.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A mahout using his elephant for begging in the street in Dhaka, Bangladesh, on December 15, 2022.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
A mahout with his elephant poses for a photograph on Eid Day in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Street performing and begging elephants in Bangladesh have been banned following landmark legal actions in 2024 and wildlife conservation overhauls.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
Elephants eating grass in the forest at Sherpur. Historically, non-resident wild herds descended from the hills of India's Meghalaya State into northeastern Bangladeshi districts. They traveled between December and May to forage during the rice harvesting season.
© KM Asad/ZUMA Press Wire
