25 wild birds, monkey rescued

Twenty-five wild and migratory birds and a monkey were rescued from four different places in Sylhet city yesterday afternoon. Rab has also detained a wholesaler of wild birds in this connection during a drive.

Of the rescued animals, there are 20 cotton pygmy geese (locally known as Balihash), four eastern great egrets (locally known as Bak), one common hill myna, and one Assamese macaque monkey.

"Social worker Enamul Munir located the four egrets being sold at Mirabazar area, who were rescued with the help of the Forest Department. Later, four pygmy geese and a myna were rescued from a pigeon store at Bharthokhola area," said Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) Sylhet chapter.

The rescued birds were released at Sheikhghat area near the Surma River.

Meanwhile, the monkey was rescued by the department from Bagbari area and was released at Khadimnagar Reserve Forest.

On information from pigeon store owner Aminul Haque Dulal, the goose supplier was located and lured to Kumarpara area.

The supplier, Jitu Miah of Kajalshah area, was later detained by Rapid Action Battalion along with 16 geese. A case is being prepared in this regard.

Jitu Miah said he has been sourcing wild and migratory birds from Habiganj and selling them to many retailers and customers, including Sylhet City Mayor Ariful Haque Choudhury.

However, talking to The Daily Star the mayor denied the claim and said he has not consumed any sort of wild bird in the last 10 to 12 years due to medical conditions.

"The seller is trying to involve my name as he was arrested near my residence. I don't even know anyone who sells wild birds," he said.

Tuhin Reza, assistant superintendent of Rab-9 in Sylhet, said, "The birds will be released in the wild once the legal process is completed."