In a significant breakthrough in the fight against the illegal wildlife trade, police in Murshidabad district, West Bengal, rescued four endangered Golden Langurs from smugglers on Saturday. The rare primates, native to Assam, were discovered in the Beldanga area following a tip-off to authorities.
The police intercepted two vehicles near the Bhabta railway gate in the Berhampore sub-division. These vehicles, identified by registration numbers WB-02Z-8382 and WB-52BE-1786, were found contravening wildlife protection laws by transporting the endangered species.
Six individuals have been arrested in connection with this trafficking operation. The suspects have been named as Mithu Das (33), Titu Das (29), Samil Hossain Biswas (39), Rafikul Mondal (29), Hasibul Mondal (25), and Biswajit Bag (23).
Officials confirmed that the rescued animals are Golden Langurs (Trachypithecus geei), an endangered species protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. These primates, primarily found in western Assam and parts of Bhutan, are increasingly threatened due to habitat destruction and poaching.
The police have initiated a broader investigation aimed at uncovering the full scope of the trafficking network and identifying the original capture location of the langurs. Wildlife officials have also been called upon to evaluate the health of the rescued animals and to facilitate their safe rehabilitation back into their natural habitat.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/video/smuggling-of-assams-endangered-golden-langurs-busted-in-west-bengal-6-arrested-1234475-2025-06-25?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-06-25 13:04:00
