Binturong now under treatment

A binturong, which was injured during capture on Monday in Sunamganj, is now under treatment in Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation in Sreemangal of Moulvibazar.

Residents of Brahmangaon village in Tahirpur upazila captured the rare animal, also known as bearcat, when it was scared seeing villagers, said Nandan Kanti Dhar, officer-in-Charge of Tahirpur Police Station.

Later, Sylhet Divisional Forest Officer RFM Monirul Islam brought it to Sylhet and sent it to Sreemangal on Tuesday.

Sopon Deb Sajal, director of Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation, told The Daily Star that the rescued binturong had been undergoing treatment there since Wednesday.

Veterinary Surgeon Ariful Islam told The Daily Star that the binturong's head and neck was hurt badly and that the treatment would require a month's time.

The animal would be released in Madhabpur forest in Moulvibazar after treatment, said Sopon.

Sharif Jamil, joint secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon, said wildlife in locality indicates serious degradation of habitat. “We should think about the ecological health of different forests. There are many cases where wildlife was found in villages near forest.”