The Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCI) of the Forest Department rescued four endangered capped langurs from a car in Dhaka's Mirpur area on Friday night (25 October). The animals were reportedly being taken to Chuadanga to be smuggled into India, reports The Business Standard.
The WCCI and officers from Shah Ali Police Station arrested a wildlife smuggler during the raid. This operation took place near Mukta Bangla Shopping Complex after receiving a tip-off about illegal wildlife transport.
Abdullah As Sadique, an inspector at WCCI, ensured the rescue to The Business Standard and reported that the animals were found in poor conditions, stuffed into two plastic sacks and an iron cage in the back of the vehicle.
"Of the four, a baby langur was found dead", he added.
"The driver, identified as Nazrul, 35, failed to provide documentation for the animals, claiming instead that they were obtained from a man named Hadis Rahman, also known as Nirab, 32," Sadique said.
Sadique added, "Nazrul admitted he was transporting the animals to an undisclosed person in Chuadanga district, and mentioned that smugglers often collect wildlife from the Alikadam area in Bandarban for illegal transport to India."
Nazrul is now in custody at Shah Ali Police Station, where a case has been filed. Authorities are working to apprehend Hadis Rahman, a repeat offender with several cases of wildlife trafficking against him, he said.
According to the Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act 2012 the capped langur is a protected species.
The Forest Department has committed to improving its efforts to tackle wildlife smuggling and has called on the public to report any unusual activities involving protected animals.
Bd-pratidin English/Afia
