Body of Nilgai recovered in Panchagarh

Police recovered the body of a Nilgai -- the largest antelope in Asia -- from Khochpara village in Atwary upazila of Panchagarh this afternoon.

After making an inquest report, the livestock officials handed it over to the Department of Forest of Panchagarh today, said Rishikesh Chandra Roy, an official of Panchagarh Social-Forestation Nursery and Training Center.

The forest department is now taking preparation to send the body to the authority of Bangabandhu Bridge Regional Museum at Bhuapur in Tangail, said Rishikesh.

Quoting locals, Officer-in-Charge of Atwary Police Station Ejar Uddin told our Thakurgaon correspondent over mobile phone that the rare species of the animal entered Bangladesh through Darkhor border in India.

Spotting the animal in a crop field, locals began to chase it. The antelope fell into a canal while making its escape.

As it seemed to have trouble breathing, locals called police, who, after reaching the spot, asked the upazila livestock officer to provide treatment to animal. The antelope, however, died before reaching the veterinary doctor, said the OC.

The body will be preserved at Bangabandhu Bridge Regional Museum at Bhuapur in Tangail, he added.

Earlier on February 2, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel rescued an injured Nilgai at Shaula Dogachhi village in Baliadangi upazila of Thakurgaon.