Two critically endangered Lemurs allegedly smuggled from Bangladesh traced to Vantara

Guwahati: Two critically endangered ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Bangladesh’s Gazipur Safari Park in March 2025 have reportedly been traced to Vantara, the wildlife conservation and rehabilitation centre in Gujarat associated with Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani’s son Anant Ambani, prompting Bangladeshi authorities to seek assistance from Interpol for their repatriation.

The development follows an investigation by Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) into the theft and alleged cross-border trafficking of three ring-tailed lemurs from the safari park.

Investigators said the animals were stolen in the early hours of March 23, 2025. While all three were initially taken from the facility, two were subsequently smuggled into India through the Darshana border in Chuadanga and eventually transported to Jamnagar in Gujarat.

The case came to the attention of Bangladeshi investigators after photographs of two ring-tailed lemurs at Vantara surfaced on social media. Investigators subsequently noticed similarities between the animals pictured at the Gujarat facility and those reported missing from Gazipur Safari Park.

Security guard allegedly helped steal lemurs

According to the CID investigation, wildlife trafficker Jewel allegedly carried out the theft with the assistance of Nippen Mahmud, a security guard working at the safari park through an outsourced arrangement.

The stolen animals were reportedly placed inside sacks and taken to a private residence. Photographs and videos of the lemurs were allegedly recorded there and circulated among prospective buyers in India.

Investigators said the trafficking operation involved several people in Bangladesh and India. Bablu, reportedly from Kolkata, and Shiplu of Mumbai allegedly travelled to Bangladesh in May 2025 in connection with the transaction.

Delwar and Tapan were allegedly involved in coordinating contacts and arrangements within Bangladesh.

According to statements recorded during the investigation, a deal was allegedly negotiated for one adult lemur and one juvenile at Tk 1.7 million, while another juvenile was valued at Tk 300,000.

Lemurs smuggled through Darshana border

Investigators said two of the stolen lemurs were subsequently taken across the Bangladesh-India border through the Darshana area with the alleged assistance of a local border intermediary.

The animals then reportedly changed hands several times before reaching Jamnagar.

According to the investigation, Indian buyers eventually paid around Rs 4.8 million (Rs 48 lakh) for the two animals, which were subsequently linked to an institution associated with the Vantara project.

The alleged trafficking route and financial transactions form part of the CID’s investigation into the international movement of the endangered animals.

Social media photographs helped investigators trace animals

Bangladeshi authorities reportedly began examining the possibility that the stolen lemurs had reached India after photographs of two similar animals at Vantara were shared on social media.

Investigators compared the photographs with available images and records from Gazipur Safari Park and identified similarities.

However, authorities have encountered a major obstacle in conclusively establishing the animals’ identities.

The lemurs had reportedly not been fitted with microchips and did not have individual registration or identification numbers. Their DNA profiles had also not been preserved while they were at the safari park.

As a result, authorities currently lack a definitive scientific record that could establish beyond doubt that the two animals at Vantara are the same lemurs stolen from Gazipur.

Bangladesh has therefore sought assistance from Interpol in its efforts to repatriate the animals.

Vantara has previously faced scrutiny over its large-scale acquisition and transfer of animals from across India and abroad, including elephants from Northeast India and endangered species from Africa, Asia and Latin America. Wildlife activists have raised concerns over animal sourcing, traceability and compliance with international wildlife-trade rules.

DNA testing planned to establish link

Authorities are now attempting to obtain a genetic profile of the juvenile lemur that remains in Bangladesh,Bangladeshi daily Ajker Potrika reported.

Investigators hope that DNA testing can establish whether the remaining animal is biologically related to the two lemurs located in Gujarat. A confirmed blood relationship could provide important evidence linking the animals to those stolen from Gazipur Safari Park.

Police officials have stressed that microchips, individual registration numbers and DNA profiles are increasingly important in international wildlife trafficking cases because they allow authorities to establish the identity, origin and ownership of endangered animals.

The lack of such records in this case has complicated Bangladesh’s efforts to secure the return of the animals.

Lemurs were originally brought into Bangladesh in 2018

The lemurs were originally brought into Bangladesh in August 2018 through Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, allegedly misdeclared to customs as birds, and were later transferred to Gazipur Safari Park after being seized.

The pair bred at the facility, producing two offspring, and after the male died, the female and two juveniles remained there.

The CID has named eight people in the subsequent theft and trafficking case, with six reportedly making confessional statements before a court. Investigators have also identified Dhaka-based customs clearing firm ASHA Enterprise as the importer and are probing the roles of several intermediaries involved in smuggling the lemurs from Bangladesh to India.

Wildlife experts call for stronger identification systems

The case has highlighted gaps in the identification and monitoring of endangered wildlife kept in conservation facilities.

Wildlife and zoo expert Md Reza Khan said rare and endangered animals should be provided with individual identification systems and have their DNA profiles preserved immediately after being brought into a zoo, sanctuary or conservation centre.

Such records, he said, can become crucial evidence in cases involving theft, illegal trade or cross-border trafficking.

Khan also called for stronger technology-based surveillance along international borders, including expanded CCTV networks and other modern monitoring systems.

He stressed the need to identify and prosecute wildlife trafficking networks operating within Bangladesh and urged greater coordination between the Forest Department, police, intelligence agencies and other enforcement bodies.

Ring-tailed lemurs face severe conservation threats

Ring-tailed lemurs are native to Madagascar and are recognisable by their distinctive black-and-white banded tails.

The species is classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It is also included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which places strict restrictions on international commercial trade.

The alleged trafficking of the Gazipur lemurs has therefore raised broader concerns over the movement of endangered wildlife across South Asian borders.

For Bangladesh, the immediate challenge is to establish through scientific and documentary evidence whether the two animals at the Gujarat facility are indeed the lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park.

If their identities can be conclusively established, authorities will face the next challenge of securing their repatriation through international cooperation.