250 endangered turtles rescued in Bhola

The Forest Department has rescued at least 250 endangered turtles from suspected smugglers in Char Fasson upazila of Bhola district.

The turtles were rescued after being found trapped in four bamboo baskets during a raid at Char Fasson market on Monday.

The rescued turtles were later released in safe water bodies on Monday night and Tuesday morning. The rescued turtles included a species locally known as the Sundhi tortoise and another known as Kadi Kaitta (spotted pond turtle), according to the Forest Department.

Coastal Forest Department sources said a raid was conducted at Char Fasson market based on a tip-off. During the raid, the turtles were found trapped in four bamboo baskets. However, no one was found at the scene.

Later, at around 9pm, 153 of the rescued turtles were released into the pond at the Char Fasson Upazila Range Officer’s office and another water body in Sadar upazila.

On Tuesday, the remaining 97 turtles were released into a pond belonging to the Roads and Highways Department and a canal at Kheya Ghat.

However, the Forest Department said it was unable to arrest anyone as those involved had fled after learning about the operation.

Sufal Roy, Sadar Upazila Range Officer of the Bhola Coastal Forest Department, said the department’s operations to protect wildlife and prevent turtle smuggling would continue.

“Those involved in turtle smuggling fled after learning about the operation. We are continuing our investigation to identify and locate them,” he said.