Local people have rescued a baghdash, a wild civet, in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj. The animal was recently rescued from Kalopur mahalla in the Shibganj municipality area. It is now at the home of a man named Nazrul Islam, who is caring for it and feeding it.

At midday on Monday, 29 January, at Nazrul Islam's home in the Lagadpara area of Shibganj municipality, the baghdash was being fed in a cage. Curious crowds had gathered to see it, and many said they had never seen such an animal.

Nazrul Islam told Jagonews that on 26 January the animal got into a house in Kalopur village and killed 50 pet pigeons, so local people beat it. "Hearing the news, I rescued it and brought it home. I am keeping it in a cage and feeding it, and for several days I have been bringing meat from the market for it. It was injured in the beating, so I gave it medicine. It is now much better."

He said he does not know exactly what species it is, so he calls it "moharal". "I have loved wild animals since birth and have cared for many animals before. I won't keep this one at home; I am thinking of taking it to the Rajshahi zoo. I cannot bear to see wild animals suffer, so I am trying to nurse it back to health. I am very happy to be able to care for it."

Neighbour Oliul Islam Dollar said a few people had been beating the animal a few days earlier, and Uncle Nazrul Islam brought it home and has been caring for it. He has done such things before; he loves animals and birds, and brings them home to look after them.

Ahammed Niamur Rahman, divisional forest officer of the Rajshahi Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division, told Jagonews that the animal is called a baghdash. It does no harm to people; rather, it is part of the country's natural wealth. The division had not known about the case, he said, and will now look into it and arrange for the animal to be handed over to them.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.