Forest officials have rescued an endangered capped langur and 12 turtles during a wildlife trafficking attempt in Chattogram. One person was arrested in connection with the incident.
The arrest took place on Monday around 5pm during an operation conducted by the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division, Chattogram. The drive was led by Chunati Forest Range Officer Anisuzzaman Sheikh.
The operation was carried out at the Bhangermukh Bazar area in Chakaria upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Officials recovered the animals from the site and detained the alleged trafficker, identified as Md Hadi Rahman, 40.
Forest department sources said an organised group had long been involved in illegally collecting various species of wildlife from forest areas and trafficking them to different parts of the country, including Dhaka.
Acting on a tip-off, officials learned that a house in Chakaria was being used to store wildlife for smuggling. Based on the information, the team launched the operation and rescued the capped langur and 12 turtles.
The arrested individual was taken into custody at the scene.
Chunti Wildlife and Sanctuary Range Officer Anisuzzaman Sheikh told TIMES of Bangladesh that a case has been filed against the accused under sections 10(1), 10(4) and 41(3) of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2026.
He added that the accused was later produced before a court and handed over for judicial proceedings.
