Two deer rescued from separate villages in Barguna’s Patharghata were treated by forest officials and released into the Sundarbans amid suspicions they strayed naturally or escaped wildlife traffickers.
Two live deer that suddenly wandered into residential areas in Bangladesh’s coastal Barguna district were rescued by forest officials on Monday and later released into the Sundarbans, authorities said.
The unusual incident created widespread excitement among residents in Patharghata upazila after the animals were found in separate villages within a few hours.
Officials from the Forest Department, with assistance from local residents, rescued the deer around 3:00 pm and released them into the Sundarbans after providing treatment to one of the animals that was found slightly unwell.
The first deer, a male, entered the property of Mostafa Foraji in Gabbariya village under Char Duani union at around 6:00 am, according to local residents. Villagers were initially surprised to see the animal roaming in the locality before informing forest officials.
A team from the Forest Department later rescued the deer from the edge of a pond inside the house compound. About three hours after the first rescue operation, officials recovered another deer, a female, from nearby Kalier Khal village.
Local sources said Patharghata is a coastal area located relatively close to the Sundarbans, prompting speculation that the animals may have strayed from the protected Haringhata forest area after losing their way.
Others believed the deer may have escaped from wildlife traffickers who had illegally captured them from the Sundarbans.
Asadul, a local youth who first spotted one of the animals, said he saw the deer from a distance while working in farmland early in the morning.
He said several dogs later chased the frightened animal, forcing it to run into a fishing net where it became trapped. Local residents freed the deer from the net and it later ran to the pond bank at Mostafa Foraji’s house to take shelter.
Mostafa Foraji said he could not explain where the deer had come from but immediately informed the Forest Department and local residents after the animal entered his property while fleeing from dogs.
Local resident Alamgir Hossain Mridha said villagers rushed to the scene after hearing reports that a live deer had appeared in the area.
“It is very rare to see deer entering residential areas like this, so everyone was surprised,” he said, adding that local residents eventually handed the animal over to forest officials.
Surajit Chowdhury, officer-in-charge of the local Jnayanpara patrol office, said the Forest Department rescued two deer from Gabbariya and Kalier Khal villages after receiving information from residents.
He said one of the deer was slightly ill and was released into the Sundarbans after receiving necessary treatment.
Chowdhury added that authorities were also investigating whether the animals had been brought into the area by wildlife traffickers. He said an investigation committee would be formed and legal action would be taken if anyone was found involved.
