50 monkeys poisoned to death in Cox’s Bazar, say locals

At least 50 wild monkeys were poisoned to death in Maheskhali upazila of Cox's Bazar yesterday, locals said.

The incident occurred at Baritilla Ghona forest of Boro Maheskhali union, which is a monkey sanctuary.

Avijit Kumar Barua, Maheshkhali range officer under Coastal Forest Division, said they visited the spot this morning and found evidence that the moneys were poisoned to death.

Quoting locals, Sadekul Islam, assistant conservator of Coastal Forest Division, Chattogram, yesterday said a local farmer placed poisoned bananas at his crop field.

The wild monkeys died after they consumed the bananas, the official said.

Dinur Alam, a local environment activist, confirmed that a farmer killed around 50 monkeys to protect his vegetable field.