A nilgai, rescued from Joydharbhanga village in Panchagarh Sadar upazila on Wednesday, was sent to Dulahazra Safari Park in Cox's Bazar last night.

Haripada Devnath, acting officer of the Social Afforestation and Nursery Training Centre in Panchagarh, said, "We handed over the female nilgai to a three-member team from the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division for its transfer to the safari park."

Earlier on Wednesday, the nilgai, a species declared extinct in the wild in Bangladesh, was spotted near the crop fields in Goalpara village after reportedly entering the country through the Indian border.

After spotting the rarely seen animal, curious locals captured it at Joydharbhanga village.

Soon after the capture, members of Border Guard Bangladesh arrived at the scene and ensured the animal's safety.

Md Manjurul Alam, acting officer of Cox's Bazar Dulahazra Safari Park, said a veterinary doctor from their team examined the nilgai upon arrival and confirmed that the animal is in good health.

The nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus), also known as the bluebuck, is the largest Asian antelope and is native to the Indian subcontinent.

It has been declared extinct in the wild in Bangladesh by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

According to forest department sources, at least six nilgai have been spotted in Thakurgaon and Panchagarh districts since 2018.

Of them, four were rescued alive, while two were found dead after being chased and beaten by locals.