Hanuman langur, 12 turtles recovered in Cox’s Bazar wildlife trafficking bust

Forest officials have rescued a Hanuman langur and 12 tortoises from a wildlife trafficker in Cox's Bazar, suspecting the animals were captured for smuggling abroad.

The raid on Monday night near Bhangarmukh Bazar of Chakaria Upazila led to the arrest of Hadisur Rahman, 40, a resident of Dhaka’s Mirpur, who had travelled to the area to collect the animals for “trafficking”.

Md Anisuzzaman Sheikh, the ranger leading the operation from Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary, told bdnews24.com that a tip-off about animals being held in Chakaria for smuggling prompted the raid.

Based on preliminary findings, he believes Hadisur is a member of an international trafficking network, with the animals meant to be moved to the capital before being smuggled out of the country.

The officer suspects the animals were sourced from forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

A case has been filed against Hadisur under the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, he added.