Rescuers say fear and shrinking urban habitats are pushing harmless monitor lizards into danger, underscoring the need for safer coexistence and timely wildlife relocation in Dhaka.
A protected Bengal monitor lizard found inside a residential building in Bangladesh’s capital has highlighted the growing challenge of human-wildlife conflict as rapid urban expansion continues to reduce natural habitats. The monitor lizard was rescued from the ground floor of a building in Dhaka’s Adabor area on Sunday and later released into the protected forest area of Purbachal.
The monitor lizard was rescued by a team from the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association after residents alerted them about the animal around noon. Following a health assessment, rescuers safely released the reptile into a suitable natural habitat later in the afternoon.
Wildlife experts identified the rescued animal as a Bengal monitor lizard (Varanus bengalensis), also known as a black monitor. It is one of three monitor lizard species found in Bangladesh. The species is widely distributed across Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and parts of Southeast Asia, where it inhabits forests, wetlands, agricultural landscapes and urban fringes.
Although often misunderstood because of its name, the monitor lizard is not a snake. It is a large, completely non-venomous reptile that generally avoids humans and does not attack unless threatened or disturbed.
Adnan Azad, president of the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association and leader of the rescue team, said public awareness about monitor lizards remains limited.
“Many people mistakenly fear monitor lizards. They are harmless reptiles and provide important ecological services by controlling pests and helping maintain environmental cleanliness,” he said.
According to rescuers, the male monitor lizard was estimated to be around two years old. They believe it had been using a nearby waste disposal area as a temporary food source after losing access to its natural habitat.
For years, fish and poultry waste had been discarded near the building, attracting the monitor lizard in search of food. After the dumping site was recently closed, the animal may have entered the residential area while looking for alternative sources of food.
The incident reflects a wider trend across South Asia, where habitat loss and rapid urbanisation are bringing wildlife and humans into closer contact.
As cities expand, forests, wetlands and open spaces are increasingly disappearing, forcing native species such as monitor lizards to move closer to human settlements in search of food and shelter.
Asim Mallik, an inspector with Dhaka’s Wildlife Crime Control Unit, said urban development has severely affected the natural habitats of monitor lizards.
“Many monitor lizards are now struggling because their habitats are disappearing. They sometimes survive in drainage systems and polluted areas. When they enter human settlements, some people kill them out of fear before they reach maturity,” he said.
He added that monitor lizards are legally protected wildlife in Bangladesh, and their capture, killing or illegal trade is prohibited under the country’s wildlife conservation laws.
The Bengal monitor lizard plays a vital role in maintaining ecosystem health. As natural scavengers and predators, monitor lizards feed on insects, frogs, small snakes, fish and decomposing organic matter. Their activities help regulate pest populations, remove decaying waste and maintain natural food chains.
Wildlife experts said the decline of monitor lizards can disturb local ecosystems by affecting predator-prey relationships and reducing biodiversity.
Conservationists say the rescue of the monitor lizard from a Dhaka neighbourhood represents a broader global challenge: balancing urban development with biodiversity conservation.
They urged residents not to harm monitor lizards if they appear in residential areas. Instead, people should contact wildlife rescue organisations or government authorities to ensure safe relocation.
“Protecting species such as the Bengal monitor lizard requires more than conserving forests. It also requires public awareness, responsible urban planning and a commitment to coexist peacefully with wildlife,” conservationists Adnan Azad concluded.
