In a significant operation in Alikadam upazila, Bandarban, law enforcement authorities successfully rescued two endangered bear cubs while apprehending a suspected smuggler.
Bandarban Superintendent of Police Saikat Shaheen disclosed the details during a press briefing held on Tuesday morning.
According to reports, the police conducted a targeted operation in the Alikadam-Chakaria road area, leading to the interception of a suspect named Alauddin, 24, who was transporting two bear cubs concealed within a bag attached to his motorcycle. Alauddin was promptly arrested for his involvement in wildlife trafficking.
Currently, authorities are coordinating with the forest department to determine the best course of action for the rescued cubs. Discussions are underway regarding the possibility of relocating them to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Cox’s Bazar.
The Asian black bear, classified as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, faces severe threats due to habitat loss and deforestation in the forests of Sylhet and Chittagong Hill Tracts.
This successful rescue operation highlights the ongoing challenge of wildlife preservation in the region, where criminal networks have been involved in the smuggling of various endangered species for a considerable period.
