Photo: STAR

An Indian Pangolin locally known as Bonrui (because it has fish-like scaly body) was captured in Haluaghat last week by a Garo man. It was later released into Madhutila Eco Park with the help of some nature lovers and forest department people. Pangoline is an anteater and a mammal now endangered in Bangladesh. Dr Reza Khan, a wildlife expert, says this animal used to be widely distributed over the country excluding the coastal parts of Khulna, Barisal, Patuakhali, Noakhali and Chittagong. It has possibly disappeared from the Kushtia, Jessore, Pabna, Bogra, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Rajshahi and most parts of Dhaka and Comilla regions. Loss of habitat and poaching are the main reasons for its disappearance. The species currently found in small numbers in the Shal, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.