In a significant anti-wildlife trafficking operation, the Special Task Force (STF) of the Assam Police has rescued eight endangered golden langurs and arrested nine individuals involved in an alleged illegal wildlife trade network operating through Assam’s Chirang district. One of the rescued primates was found dead, officials said.

The operation was carried out late at night along National Highway-27 after STF officials from Guwahati acted on specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of traffickers transporting protected wildlife. The team, with assistance from the Officer-in-Charge of Sidli Police Station, intercepted two vehicles—a Mahindra Scorpio bearing registration number WB 06 Q 3755 and a Tata Nano registered as AS 26 A 5190.

During the search, officials discovered eight golden langurs, one of India’s most endangered primate species, inside the vehicles. While the rescue operation was successful in saving most of the animals, authorities confirmed that one langur had already died, underscoring the harsh conditions involved in illegal wildlife transport.

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Following the seizure, nine suspected traffickers were taken into custody. According to preliminary findings, the arrested individuals include one Bangladeshi national, five persons from West Bengal, and three from Assam. Officials believe this mix of identities points to the involvement of a wider interstate and cross-border trafficking syndicate.

Investigators suspect that the network was engaged in smuggling protected wildlife species across state and international borders, exploiting highway routes for quick movement. The golden langur, native to parts of Assam and Bhutan, is classified as an endangered species and is protected under India’s wildlife protection laws, making its capture and trade a serious criminal offence.

Authorities have intensified efforts to trace the larger network behind the operation, including potential handlers and buyers. The rescued animals have been placed under veterinary care, while further investigation is underway to determine the full scale of the trafficking ring and identify additional collaborators involved in the illegal trade.

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