Elite Commandos Save 3 Tiger Cubs From Smugglers

An elite security force in Bangladesh saved the lives of three Bengal tiger cubs on Monday when they raided a house owned by smugglers. Tracking leads that came from a rumor, the team rescued the cubs before they could be sold.

Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) commandos found the nearly two-month-old cubs playing inside an iron cage at the residence of a wildlife trader in the capital city of Dhaka. They arrested one person at the house.

RAB spokesperson Commander Mohammad Sohail said the house had a number of empty cages inside, indicating that it was used for animal trafficking. They found the residence after hunting down leads that stemmed from a rumor about three young cubs being taken from the forest. Officials with the Forest Department dismissed the story as false, but the RAB team decided to follow the trail which ultimately saved the lives of the cubs.

There are just 440 wild Bengal tigers living in Bangladesh and less than 2,500 worldwide, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In 2010, the Bangladesh government passed strict laws to protect wildlife, including Bengal tigers, but poaching, capturing and trading still flourishes. Experts say poachers have become more sophisticated in their methods and serve as the biggest threat to the survival of the species.

The rescue was the first for tiger cubs in the capital city. The animals were sent to a private mini zoo in Hatirpul to help them gain weight. After being fed human milk, the cubs were suffering from diarrhea and weighed about half of what they should.

Zakirul Farid, veterinarian at the Dhaka Zoo, said the one male and two female cubs were malnourished and dehydrated.

Half Of Republic Of Congo’s Forest Elephants Killed In Past Five Years

March In Paris Demands Closure Of All Slaughterhouses

Photo Credit: DerekE-Jay

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Kayleigh H.

8:13PM PDT on May 17, 2013

This was almost a year ago; any word on what happened to the cubs? Were they successfully reintroduced to the wild, sent to a reserve, or did they remain at the zoo? I'm glad they were rescued, but I'd love to see how they're doing now. A follow-up story would be greatly appreciated!

May 17
send a green star

Marianne F.

2:28AM PDT on Apr 11, 2013

Happy for them.Thank you .

April 11
send a green star

Lorraine A.

5:31AM PST on Mar 9, 2013

Fantastic. So glad the cubs were rescued. Lets hope for more outcome like this one

March 9
send a green star

Darla T.

1:43PM PST on Nov 5, 2012

Thanks to RAB for saving these 3 cubs! I can't believe the Forest Department dismissed the story. Why were the tigers being fed human milk, that's just ridiculous. Those poor babies, am glad they're in better hands now.

November 5
send a green star

Lynn W.

10:20AM PST on Nov 5, 2012

We must hope that the military will continue to act with integrity and humanity, and not eventually be purchased by the smugglers.

Amitav D.

3:14AM PST on Nov 5, 2012

Finally, using the military in a way we can all support!

I've been annoying people about this for decades: if we really want to end organized crime (sex trade, kidnapping, drugs, exotic animal trade, poaching, theft), we'll use our collective military forces to eradicate criminal gangs from the face of the Earth!

Pamela W.

5:52PM PST on Nov 4, 2012

Great work RAB ........ wouldn't it be nice if you could claim the salaries of those LAZY USELESS B.....DS who didn't bother to follow up the lead ? Without you these 3 wouldn't be alive today !!!!!!!!!!!

November 4
send a green star

Sandi C.

7:03AM PDT on Jul 31, 2012

wonderful news if true!

July 31
send a green star

Michaela C.

12:21AM PDT on Jun 27, 2012

Officials with the Forest Department dismissed the story as false

They get payed to tell that as they are morons too and give a shit about the animals.

RAB, I'm so glad to see that there are some people in this kind of country that understand the rules and do the right thing, thank you RAB keep up the good work!