Rescued from traffickers, Great Hornbills end up in captivity

Four Great Hornbills that were rescued from traffickers in Chattogram's Baskhali upazila have been taken to captivity in Chattogram Zoo in violation of Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act-2012.

Police rescued the four birds from two traffickers on Friday.

A mobile court led by assistant commissioner of Baskhali Upazila sent the two traffickers to jail for six months after they admitted to their involvement in the trade of wildlife.

The executive magistrate later sent the birds to Chattogram Zoo under Chattogram District Administration as per high-ups order.

As per Wildlife (Conservation and Security)-2012, if any seized wildlife's is under threat in captivity, it's the Forest Department who is entitled to treat it and eventually release it back to its natural habitat.

Saiduzzaman Chowdhury, upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Baskhali, said the birds will be taken proper care at the zoo where visitors will have the opportunity to know about the rare birds.

Asked why the birds were not handed over to Forest Department as per Wildlife Act, Khandakar Mahmudul Hasan, assistant commissioner of Baskhali, said the forest officials did not object taking the birds to the Zoo.

"They are still chick and need treatment. That's why those were sent to the zoo," he said.

Imran Ahmed, conservator of forest (Wildlife and Nature Conservation) of Forest Department, said, taking the birds into captivity was not a fair step. According to law, the seizing authority must hand over the birds to Forest Department.

Enam Ul Haque, an eminent bird expert, told The Daily Star that no admin official has the right to send wildlife to zoo at will. The Forest Department can't evade responsibility either, he said.

"Why they did not sue the officials for taking those birds into captivity?" he asked.

"The birds can only be taken to captivity only when they are too injured to go back into the forest and that too has to be certified by Forest Department in written form. Forest Department is complicit in this," he added.