Conservationists rescue rare langur, question Ctg Forest Dept's inaction on wildlife trafficking

After several rounds of negotiations with wildlife traffickers, conservationists in Chattogram, posing as buyers, struck a deal to purchase an endangered spectacled langur for Tk51,000 and agreed to complete the transaction at a hotel in the port city.

The conservationists had shared the information with detectives in advance.

The Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (DB) raided the hotel room on 18 May and rescued the langur. During the operation, Shafikur Rahman, alleged to be part of a wildlife trafficking network, was caught red-handed.

Following the raid, police searched the suspect's rented residence. Conservationists claimed evidence of wildlife possession and trade was found in an adjacent room.

It was housing two hill mynas, one spotted dove, six green parakeet chicks, seven adult green parakeets, seven blossom-headed parakeet chicks, and three adult blossom-headed parakeets.

The blossom-headed parakeet is listed as critically endangered in Bangladesh, while the hill myna is classified as endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Capturing, keeping or trading mynas is punishable under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.

However, the operation ended without the birds being seized.

Conservationists now allege they did not receive adequate support from the Chattogram Forest Department during the operation. They claimed officials limited the scope of the raid by avoiding responsibility, which prevented the recovery of the remaining animals.

They also questioned the role of the Forest Department's Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division, alleging that a lack of cooperation hindered efforts to rescue other wild animals reportedly held by the suspect.

They further alleged that an opportunity to initiate legal proceedings was missed.

According to conservationists, after the langur was rescued, the Forest Department did not initiate a case under wildlife protection laws against alleged members of the trafficking ring. Instead, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police Detective Branch (DB) produced the suspect before court as a carrier of wildlife.

Sheikh Shariful Islam, deputy commissioner of Chattogram Metropolitan Police's Detective Branch (South), told TBS that they took the necessary steps as part of their responsibilities.

"However, wildlife matters fall primarily under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department. We contacted them and requested that they take the necessary action. If the Forest Department wishes to conduct such operations, we will provide full cooperation," he said.

He said the detained individual claimed during preliminary questioning that he was merely a carrier. "According to his statement, he had collected the animal from another person and did not know the actual owner or the source of the animal," Shariful said.

"The detained individual was produced before the court under the Metropolitan Police Act. Further legal procedures and any action under wildlife laws fall within the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities, particularly the Forest Department," he added.

Shariful said a follow-up operation was later conducted in Chattogram district based on information obtained from the case. He added that the Forest Department had been informed about the unrecovered birds and requested to take action.

"Why the Forest Department did not take further action is not known to us," he said.

Volunteers dispute Forest Department's account

Siddiqur Rahman Rabby, a wildlife rescue volunteer in Chattogram, said an active wildlife trafficking network had been operating in the region for a long time.

"After the rescue of the spectacled langur, the Forest Department was requested to recover the parrots, mynas and other wildlife allegedly kept by the accused. DB police were also prepared to assist if necessary. But despite repeated notifications, the Forest Department did not take any effective action," he said.

When contacted, Abu Naser Mohammad Yasin Nawaz, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Chattogram, said a written report had been sought from the relevant range officer after allegations about the incident circulated on social media.

"Once we receive the report, we will be able to provide details about the actual situation," he said.

According to information available to the department, DB police rescued the animal and later handed it over to the Forest Department.

"However, Forest Department officials were not called to the scene before the operation. We were informed after the rescue had already taken place," he said.

Responding to allegations that the department failed to recover additional wildlife, he said, "We do not yet have complete information. If we receive information that wildlife is being illegally kept or traded anywhere, action will certainly be taken in accordance with the law."

The DFO said effective action against wildlife trafficking requires intelligence gathering and coordinated preparation. "It is important not only to rescue animals but also to bring traffickers under the law. This makes it easier to dismantle the entire network," he added.

Rabby disputed the DFO's account, saying volunteers had provided specific information and evidence to officials before the DB operation. According to him, volunteers sought assistance from DB police only after Forest Department officials failed to conduct the operation themselves.

He said that although the spectacled langur was rescued, the other birds allegedly kept by the suspect were not seized. Despite having the opportunity to obtain police support, the Forest Department had not conducted any operation or taken effective measures in the 15 days following the incident, he claimed.

Chattogram a key trafficking route

Mahfuz Russell, founder of the Pitachhara Forest and Wildlife Conservation Initiative, said Chattogram remains one of the country's most important wildlife trafficking routes.

"For years, organised networks have been involved in wildlife trafficking and illegal wildlife trade in this region. We believe the relevant authorities, law enforcement agencies and Forest Department officials are aware of these networks," he said.

"Yet the number of cases and legal actions against traffickers remains very limited. In many instances, suspects are detained but no effective action is taken afterwards. Recently, an alleged trafficker was released without a case being filed."

Russell said existing wildlife protection laws provide scope for strict enforcement but are not being adequately applied.

"Questions are particularly being raised about the role of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Chattogram. It is necessary to examine whether there has been negligence or any other reason behind the weak enforcement against trafficking networks," he said.

Sources involved in wildlife protection claim that many wild animals collected from the three hill districts pass through Chattogram before being distributed across the country.

Forest officials say that while Chattogram is not the main collection point, it serves as a major transportation and transit hub. To avoid surveillance and checkpoints, traffickers often use remote routes through hilly areas. Many wildlife rescues have taken place on the Chattogram-Cox's Bazar Highway and the Dhaka-Chattogram Highway.

Research on wildlife trade has found that animals are bought and sold openly or covertly in several districts before reaching major markets in Dhaka and Chattogram and being trafficked domestically and internationally.

In recent years, authorities have rescued dolphins, pangolins, slow lorises, turtles, deer, monkeys, langurs, fishing cats, civets, bears and pythons.

Conservationists say trafficking networks remain active because rare and endangered animals continue to command high prices in the illegal wildlife market.