Man detained over wild animal trade in Sylhet

A man was detained today for illegally selling wild animals from the Shahi Eidgah area of Sylhet city.

Two infant monkeys and two pygmy geese were also recovered from him, reports our Sylhet correspondent quoting a forest official.

The detainee, Rasel Miah (37), has long been selling wild animals like monkeys, wild birds and migratory birds through different Facebook groups using a Facebook account named "Shekder MD Rasel", said Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa) Sylhet chapter.

"Being informed of this illegal wildlife sale, we decided to trap Rasel. Advocate Arup Syam Bappy, an environmental activist, contacted the seller and lured him to the Shahi Eidgah area posing as a potential customer. After he reached there, we detained him with the help of forest officials and members of law enforcement," he said.

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) detained Rasel and handed over to the Forest Department. A case is being filed against him under Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, Kim said.

"We rescued two infant monkeys and two pygmy geese from Rasel, and handed those over to the forest officials. Rasel was carrying the animals in cages which were covered by fruit boxes," Kim added.

Confirming the incident, Shahidullah, wildlife ranger of the Forest Department in Sylhet, said, "A case against the wild animal seller will be filed soon and the detainee will be produced before Sylhet court."

"The rescued wild animals will be freed in the wild," the forest official added.