PINAKI ROY

Patagonian Mara, a somewhat rabbit-like animal, is found in open and semi-open habitats in Argentina, including in large parts of Patagonia. This herbivorous mammal, which also looks like deer, is never known to be found in this part of the subcontinent.

But in March 2021, border guard members recovered seven of these near-threatened animals from some abandoned sacks in Tushkhali border area in Kolaroa upazila of Satkhira.

The following year, a large number of wild animals, including Hoolock gibbons, porcupines, fishing cats, leopard cats and Kalij pheasants were rescued from Lohagara upazila, Chattogram. Latest in January last year, two bear cubs were rescued from Chokoria, Cox’s Bazar.

Earlier, law enforcers rescued nine zebras from a cow-shed near Sharsha border in Jashore in 2018, and two lion cubs and a leopard in 2017, also from Jashore.

This means, many exotic and endangered species continue to be smuggled into Bangladesh from Africa and South America, as the

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