The upazila Forest Department rescued 107 rare turtles during a raid at 9pm on Monday in Bhola’s Char Fasson. The animals were found at an establishment that buys crabs and loaches in the BRDB Road area. Nasim Al Khushbu, acting officer of the upazila nursery centre, led the operation.

Officials identified the rescued animals as rare ‘Sandhi’ turtles and critically endangered ‘Kori Kaitta’ turtles. The Forest Department released all 107 turtles into its pond on Tuesday afternoon. Range Officer Abdus Salam and beat officers from several unions were present during the release.

Climate and environmental activist Sanjidul Islam expressed concern that no case had been filed against those involved. He said crab hunters and traffickers have long smuggled critically endangered turtles from forest canals and water bodies in BRDB Janata Bazar, Sonali Road and various char areas, and called for those responsible to be identified and brought under the law. Officials had also rescued 32 turtles from the fish market area on Saturday night. Divisional Forest Conservator Molla Rezaul Karim said hunting and trafficking such endangered turtles are prohibited under wildlife conservation law and operations will continue.