Wildlife trafficking investigations reported in India and Bangladesh

Wildlife enforcement officials in South Asia are addressing separate incidents of illegal animal trade. In India’s Gajapati district, forest officials conducted two raids resulting in the seizure of two leopard skins and the arrest of six individuals. Authorities are investigating whether the suspects are connected to a larger wildlife trafficking network.

In a separate regional matter, investigations are ongoing regarding the potential trafficking of three endangered ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park in Bangladesh. Social media reports suggested two of the animals may have been moved to India and housed at the Vantara conservation facility. While Vantara has denied the allegations and offered to cooperate via DNA profiling, Bangladeshi officials noted that a lack of prior DNA records and the absence of formal repatriation protocols between the two nations make cross-border recovery difficult.