A leopard has been spotted in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, with images captured on a camera trap set up in the remote Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest.
The two photos, taken on Friday, went viral on social media after being posted on Wednesday in a Facebook group run by the wildlife conservation organization Creative Conservation Alliance (CCA), creating a stir online.
According to sources at CCA, this is not the first time a leopard has been spotted in the forest.
The organization’s camera traps have now captured photos of leopards three times.
The first instance was in 2015, followed by another in 2021, all in the Sangu-Matamuhuri Reserve Forest.
Shahriar Caesar Rahman, CEO of CCA, told Dhaka Tribune: “We initially learned from locals that leopards and other endangered wildlife were present in this forest. We also found paw prints in several locations. Based on this, we set up cameras on trees to photograph the forest’s wildlife.”
He said that the forest is home to seven species of wild cats, including leopards, which their camera traps have captured.
"These include the marbled cat, clouded leopard, golden cat, and Asiatic wildcat, among others. In addition, two species of bears and wild cattle known as bison have also been seen in the forest," he added.
Shahriar continued: "Many other animals have also been observed in the area. However, their numbers are decreasing, and many species are on the verge of extinction. The main reasons for this are poaching, road construction through the forest along the border, and other infrastructural developments that are damaging the habitat.
"Environmental development is not possible by destroying forests and wildlife. Efforts must be made to protect them."
He added that to conserve the forest and its wildlife, CCA is working at the community level in the hill tract area of Chittagong through local volunteer Sourav Chakma.
The organization is currently raising awareness among local communities, he said.
Shahriar also stressed the need for the government to take steps to stop poaching and the construction of roads and structures within the forest.
Regarding the matter, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser for the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change, told Dhaka Tribune: “I am aware of the matter. The forest is under our surveillance.”
