Rescue and Rehabilitation of a Bengal Tiger
In a historic first for Bangladesh, the country is preparing to release a Bengal tiger back into the Sundarbans after it was rescued from a poacher’s trap and treated for severe injuries. On January 4, 2026, the Bangladesh Forest Department rescued an adult female tiger (Panthera tigris), estimated to be around 10 years old, from the Chandpai and Sarankhola forest range in the Sundarbans East division. The critically injured tiger had been caught in a snare set for deer poaching and was immediately taken to the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center, a facility of the Forest Department, for treatment.
“We rescued the tiger from a snare set for deer poaching. After receiving adequate care, the tiger is now ready to return to the wild. We are planning to release her in a few days,” said Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans East division. The tiger’s left foreleg, which was caught in the metal snare, was severely injured but has since recovered under veterinary care.
Status of Tigers in the Sundarbans
According to a census conducted in 2024, Bangladesh is home to 125 Bengal tigers living in the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Covering 6,017 square kilometers (2,323 square miles), the mangrove forest is administratively divided into Sundarbans East and Sundarbans West, and further into three blocks: Chandpai-Sarankhola, Khulna, and Satkhira. The highest number of Bengal tigers is found in the Chandpai-Sarankhola block, indicating a higher density of prey species such as deer and wild boar. However, this also makes the area a hotspot for illegal activities, including poaching.
Debate Over Release Process: Collar vs. Camera Traps
Since this is the first release of its kind in Bangladesh involving a Bengal tiger, experts are divided over the best procedure. Some advocate for fitting the tiger with a satellite collar to monitor her movements, while others argue that the animal has only recently recovered from severe stress and may not withstand additional equipment or another tranquilization.
Arguments for Satellite Collaring
Using a GPS-based collar is a common global practice when releasing a “problem tiger,” with neighboring countries like India and Nepal frequently employing this method. “Following global practice, we decided to release the tiger with a GPS tracker,” said Mohammad Abdul Aziz, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka and a member of the expert committee overseeing the release. “Since the tiger has been out of her territory for the past six months, she may have lost that territory. There is a strong chance she could return to a nearby human settlement in search of food. If she is fitted with a GPS tag, we can monitor her movements and alert local residents if she tries to return. Considering these factors, collaring would be the best option.”
Arguments Against Collaring
However, Hatem Sazzat Md Julkarnine, a veterinary surgeon at Gazipur Safari Park who cared for the wounded tiger, expressed concerns. “Releasing the tiger with extra equipment, such as a collar, could put her life at risk. We rescued the tiger in critical condition. Her left foreleg was severely injured by the metal snare. Although she has recovered, she has already lost strength and reflexes. In this condition, she will struggle to reclaim her territory and hunt for food. If we send her back with extra weight, it will be difficult for her to survive.”
The alternative is to use camera traps. Professor Aziz noted, “We decided to use a radio collar, but the issue remains pending because of technical problems in securing the equipment on time. If we are unable to obtain the collar within the next couple of days, we will use camera traps instead. In that case, the Forest Department will set up cameras across a 20-km² (7.7-mi²) area where the tiger was rescued to monitor her condition.” However, if the tiger moves beyond the cameras’ range, they may lose track of her.
Crackdown on Poaching and Results
Deer poaching remains common in the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans, with some locals involved in such illegal activities. According to a Forest Department report released in 2026, officials identified and removed traps made of rope and metal spanning about 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the eastern part of the forest over the past year. Additionally, at least 70 poachers were detained and penalized.
The tiger’s rescue from a poacher’s trap reflects the Forest Department’s recent exhaustive actions against poachers through increased patrolling and arrests. “As a result of these actions, the number of deer in the forest has also visibly increased,” said Mohammed Mostafa Feeroz, a zoology professor at Jahangirnagar University who recently visited the forest. “I even found several female deer with triplets, which had been rare in the mangrove forest for a long time.”
The successful rescue and impending release of this Bengal tiger mark a significant step in wildlife conservation in Bangladesh, highlighting both the challenges of restoring a wild predator and the positive impact of anti-poaching efforts.