Three endangered langurs rescued from Ctg house; no one held

The Forest Department has rescued three endangered spectacled langurs from a house in the Khulshi area of the port city of Chattogram, allegedly kept for trafficking.  

Mohammad Lutfar Parvez, a ranger with the Chattogram Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division under the department, told The Business Standard yesterday that after being tipped off, they learned that some endangered langurs were kept at the residential house for trafficking.

"Around 7pm [Sunday], we conducted a raid there but initially faced resistance [by guards]. Later, with the help of the police, we entered the house, searched it, and rescued three langurs," he said.

Of them, one adult langur was found confined in a cage, while the other two juveniles were kept in plastic baskets.

"They are currently under our custody and are being cared for. All three animals are in stable condition. Further steps will be taken following directives from the higher authorities," Lutfar said.

He also said that the house was linked to a wildlife trafficker named Joglu, who was not present during the raid.

Efforts were now underway to detain Joglu, who is suspected of involvement in the trafficking of the langurs, the ranger said.

The animal is a critically endangered species, rarely found in the country, and is locally known as the black monkey or "Kala Bandar".

Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2026, keeping such endangered wildlife in captivity is a punishable offence, carrying a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment or a fine of Tk3 lakh, or both.