A protected porcupine fell into a pit at a Faridpur construction site. Fire Service rescued it, emphasizing growing human-wildlife conflicts and the importance of conservation awareness.
An endangered and protected porcupine was rescued after falling into a pit at a construction site in Bhanga municipality of Faridpur district on Tuesday morning, officials said.
The incident highlights the growing interaction between wildlife and expanding human settlements and underscores the need for greater public awareness and stronger conservation efforts.
The incident occurred at a residential house in the Siladhar Char area under Ward No. 6, where construction work was underway. Workers arriving at the site in the morning noticed the porcupine trapped inside a deep pit of the under-construction building and immediately alerted the homeowner.
The house owner, 65-year-old Hasan Chakladar, said he contacted Bangladesh’s national emergency service after being informed by the workers. “They saw the porcupine inside the pit and told me right away. I called 999 and soon the Fire Service arrived and rescued it,” he said.
Personnel from the Bhanga Fire Service successfully retrieved the animal as local residents gathered at the scene to watch the rescue operation.
Abu Jafar, Station Master of Bhanga Fire Service, said the porcupine was rescued safely and the Forest Department was notified. “The animal will be handed over to the Forest Department for proper care and necessary action,” he added.
Wildlife experts note that porcupines and other wild animals are increasingly entering human settlements due to habitat loss, rapid urban expansion and ongoing construction activities. Porcupines are legally protected in Bangladesh but their population has been declining because of deforestation, illegal hunting and human encroachment into natural habitats.
