The death highlights growing road safety risks for capped leaf monkeys, whose habitat in Bangladesh is already under pressure from forest loss and human activity.
In search of food and safe shelter, these wild animals often cross roads adjacent to forests, increasing the risk of road crashes, experts say
An endangered capped leaf monkey was killed today (September 11) after being hit by a vehicle while crossing the Dhaka-Sylhet regional highway in Sreemangal upazila of Moulvibazar.
The incident occurred around 4:30pm near the 6 No Pool area of the upazila, said Tajul Islam, junior wildlife scout of the Sreemangal Range Office.
“The exact cause of death will be known after receiving the autopsy report. Following that, the monkey will be buried according to forest department regulations,” he added.
Citing locals, he added that Akhil Malakar, a CNG auto-rickshaw driver, saw the severely injured monkey lying by the side of the road after the crash.
He tried to save it by pouring water into its mouth and later informed the Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation about the matter.
Swapan Deb Sojol, director of the Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation, and environmental activist Rajdeep Deb Deep reached the spot and rescued the injured monkey.
They then took it to the Sreemangal Upazila Livestock Office and Veterinary Hospital, where the attending doctor declared it dead.
The dead monkey was later handed over to the Sreemangal Range Office of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division.
Wildlife experts said that the capped leaf monkey is one of Bangladesh’s endangered wild animals.
The existence of this species is increasingly threatened due to shrinking forests, habitat destruction and various human interventions.
To make matters worse, new risks like road crashes have been added to these threats.
Among Bangladesh’s limited evergreen forests, Lawachara National Park is one of the most important habitats for the capped leaf monkey.
In search of food and safe shelter, these wild animals often cross roads adjacent to the forest.
Consequently, the presence of fast-moving vehicles on busy roads creates a constant risk of crashes.
Source: Dhaka Stream
