March 5, 2025
DHAKA – Every year on 3 March, the world celebrates World Wildlife Day to raise awareness about protecting animals. In Bangladesh, a country rich in biodiversity, yet rapidly urbanising, conservation efforts are more crucial than ever. While much attention is given to endangered species in forests and rivers, a vital but often overlooked part of our ecosystem — stray animals and urban wildlife — also deserves recognition. From street dogs and cats to urban birds and reptiles, these creatures play a key role in maintaining ecological balance, but often face neglect and mistreatment. Incidents like the poisoning of several stray dogs and a cat in Mohammadpur’s Japan Garden City, where the animals tragically died after consuming poisoned food, highlight the cruelty that these animals face. Additionally, in another heart-breaking incident, a man was seen kicking a helpless cat to death in Mohammadpur, further highlighting the cruelty faced by stray animals.
A case was filed in a Dhaka court, regarding the death of the cat in Mohammadpur, on 1 February, under the Animal Welfare Act, 2019. These recent incidents illustrate the growing cruelty toward stray animals, but legal actions are being taken to address such issues.
At the same time, human-wildlife conflicts are becoming more frequent, with heart-breaking incidents like elephants being killed after wandering into villages in search of food. The struggle to enforce wildlife protection laws remains, but grassroots efforts and growing awareness among local communities offer hope for a more sustainable future.
Bangladesh is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including Asian elephants, Bengal tigers, river dolphins, and countless bird species. However, habitat destruction, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, and weak law enforcement pose severe threats to their survival. The rapid loss of forests due to deforestation, illegal land grabbing, and unplanned urbanisation has pushed many wild animals into closer contact with humans, often leading to deadly consequences.
On this World Wildlife Day, let’s commit to protecting all animals — not just those in forests and rivers, but also those living in our cities. They, too, are part of nature. PHOTO: THE DAILY STAR
In February 2025, an elephant was found dead in Cox’s Bazar, suspected to have been killed by an electric fence set up by villagers to protect their crops. This is not an isolated incident — over the past five years, more than 30 wild elephants have been killed in Bangladesh, according to conservationists. With their natural habitats shrinking, elephants are increasingly straying into villages in search of food, escalating tensions between locals and the animals. Despite being a protected species under Bangladeshi law, enforcement remains weak, and many killings go unpunished. Without stronger intervention, Bangladesh risks losing one of its most majestic species.
Key Wildlife Protection Laws in Bangladesh
The Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012: Protects 1,307 species, including elephants, tigers, and river dolphins. Prohibits killing, capturing, or trading protected species, with violators facing fines up to Tk 10 lakh and 12 years of imprisonment.
The Animal Welfare Act, 2019: Criminalises cruelty towards all animals, including stray dogs and cats. However, lack of awareness remains a major issue, particularly in rural areas where many do not know that killing protected species is illegal.
On 10 May, 2018, a Dhaka court sentenced a man to six months in jail for burying two dogs and 14 puppies alive in Rampura in 2017, under the Cruelty to Animals Act 1920. This case further highlights the importance of enforcing animal protection laws in urban and rural areas alike.
The Urban Wildlife Struggle
Wildlife protection is not only an issue in forests and rural areas — it extends to cities as well. Thousands of stray dogs and cats roam the streets, scavenging for food and shelter. While some communities care for them, many suffer from malnutrition, disease, and abuse. Apart from stray animals, urban spaces in Bangladesh also support a variety of wildlife. Birds such as crows, sparrows, and mynas play a crucial role in seed dispersal and insect control. Lizards, bats, and even snakes help regulate pests, reducing the spread of diseases. However, rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and pollution have led to a sharp decline in their numbers, disrupting the natural balance.
Many people view stray animals as a nuisance, not recognising their important role in the ecosystem. As cities expand, construction destroys green spaces, leaving birds and small mammals with fewer places to live and find food. Pollution and waste mismanagement are also major issues, as stray animals and birds often eat plastic or other harmful waste, causing severe health problems. Additionally, traffic hazards pose a huge risk, with many stray animals getting injured or killed in accidents because cities lack proper safety measures for them.
On this World Wildlife Day, let’s commit to protecting all animals — not just those in forests and rivers, but also those living in our cities. They, too, are part of nature.