Leopard cat rescued from Khagrachari released into forest

A leopard cat rescued from a house in the Islampur area of Khagrachari has been released into Alutila Reserved Forest by the Forest Department.

The animal was rescued from a house in Islampur yesterday (3 October) afternoon after Forest Department officials were informed that a leopard cat had entered the premises, Khagrachari Range Officer Md Sajjad Hossain confirmed.

He said Forest Department personnel went to the house after receiving the information and rescued the animal.

Two Forest Department workers were injured after being bitten by the leopard cat during the rescue operation.

The animal was later released into Alutila Reserved Forest.

However, Mahfuz Russell, founder of the Pitachhara Forest and Wildlife Conservation Initiative, said rescued wildlife should not be released directly into the wild without keeping it under close observation for several days.

He said a rescued animal may remain psychologically distressed after the incident or may be ill or physically weak. Depending on its condition, it should therefore be kept at a rehabilitation or care centre for treatment and observation, he added.

Mahfuz said the hill region is rich in biodiversity, but the Forest Department has to work with limited manpower and resources. He said the department also does not have its own wildlife treatment or dedicated rehabilitation centre in the region.

He said establishing such a centre is necessary under the current circumstances.

The Pittachhara Forest and Wildlife Conservation Initiative in Khagrachari has facilities for wildlife rehabilitation and treatment, Mahfuz said.

He added that keeping the recently rescued leopard cat there for a few days and releasing it after ensuring its full recovery would have been safer for the animal.