Eight Golden Langurs Rescued, Nine Held in Major Wildlife Trafficking Bust in Assam’s Chirang
A joint operation by the STF, local police and forest officials rescued endangered golden langurs from suspected traffickers, exposing possible interstate and cross-border wildlife smuggling links.
CHIRANG- A major wildlife trafficking operation was foiled in Assam’s Chirang district after a joint team of the Special Task Force (STF), local police and forest officials rescued eight endangered golden langurs and detained nine persons, including a Bangladeshi national, officials said.
The operation was conducted following specific intelligence inputs regarding the illegal transportation of protected wildlife through the district. Personnel from the STF, Kajalgaon Police Station and Sidli Police Station intercepted the suspected traffickers during a late-night operation in the Sidli area of Chirang district.
According to officials, eight golden langurs were initially recovered during the raid. However, one of the rescued animals later died, reportedly due to suffocation during transportation, leaving seven surviving langurs under the care of the Forest Department. Veterinary teams have been deployed to monitor and treat the rescued primates before their eventual release into their natural habitat.
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Investigators said the detained individuals include one Bangladeshi national, five residents of West Bengal and three residents of Chirang district in Assam. Preliminary findings suggest the group may be linked to a larger interstate and transnational wildlife trafficking network operating across the region. Authorities are examining possible cross-border connections and attempting to identify additional members of the alleged syndicate.
Forest officials believe the langurs were captured from the Ultapani forest area, part of the broader habitat range of the species in western Assam. Investigators suspect the animals were being transported to prospective buyers through a network of intermediaries. During the operation, authorities also seized vehicles, mobile phones and other materials considered relevant to the investigation.
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The golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) is one of India’s most endangered primate species and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The species is found primarily in western Assam and neighbouring Bhutan and faces threats from habitat fragmentation, encroachment and illegal wildlife trade. Conservationists have repeatedly warned that organised trafficking networks pose a serious risk to the long-term survival of the species.
Officials described the seizure as a significant breakthrough in efforts to combat wildlife crime in the Northeast. The Forest Department has taken custody of the rescued animals while legal proceedings and further investigations continue. Authorities said efforts are underway to trace the intended destination of the langurs and uncover the wider network behind the trafficking operation.
