The Forest Department and the Dhaka district administration on Thursday arrested three individuals and seized 11 endangered capped langurs (Trachypithecus pileatus) during a raid in Jatrabari鈥檚 Matuail Shamimbagh area.
Wildlife inspector Nigar Sultana, who was present during the raid, said that the raid was carried out at about 11:00am on Thursday and law enforcement officials confiscated a car used for transport.
The arrested are Emran Hossen, 28, son of Babul Miah of Debidwar, Md Asif, 23, son of Md Zabed of Muradnagar in Cumilla and Md Sohag, 30, son of Nurul Haque of Bhedargaon in Shariatpur.
The arrested individuals were attempting to smuggle the primates from Chattogram to Kushtia for illegal trade, Nigar said, adding that the rescue mission was a joint effort by the Dhaka district administration, Detective Branch and the Forest Department.
Following the rescue, a mobile court, led by senior assistant commissioner and executive magistrate, Anik Saha, of the Dhaka district commissioner office, fined the arrested Tk 60,000 and also sentenced them to three months鈥� imprisonment.
The court ruling was based on a prosecution report filed under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, Nigar said. The rescued capped langurs were later sent to the Safari Park in Gazipur for proper care.
Capped langurs play a vital role in maintaining forest ecosystems, primarily through seed dispersal. As they consume a diverse range of fruits, leaves and flowers, they contribute to the regeneration and propagation of plant species, ensuring the stability of their habitats.
Beyond their ecological contributions, capped langurs serve as key biodiversity indicators. Their presence in a forest signifies a healthy ecosystem, as their well-being reflects the overall condition of their habitat.
