The allegedly stolen Bangladesh lemurs were trafficked into India, investigators say, but authorities have not confirmed reports linking the animals to Vantara in Gujarat.
DHAKA: The stolen Bangladesh lemurs at the centre of an international wildlife trafficking investigation have been confirmed as having crossed into India, but Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department says their reported presence at Vantara in Gujarat has not been established.
The clarification follows reports that two endangered ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park in March 2025 had been traced to the wildlife rescue and conservation centre in Jamnagar.
Bangladesh investigators have established that two of three lemurs taken from the safari park were smuggled across the border into India. However, the CID has since said it cannot confirm where the animals went afterwards or whether they are currently at Vantara.
What happened to the lemurs?
Three ring-tailed lemurs were stolen from Gazipur Safari Park on March 23, 2025.
Investigators allege that a wildlife trafficker carried out the theft with assistance from a security guard. The animals were reportedly placed in sacks before photographs and videos were circulated to potential buyers.
The investigation later found that two animals were taken across the Bangladesh-India border. Eight people have been accused in connection with the case, with six giving confessional statements before a court, according to earlier reporting based on the investigation.
Reports subsequently claimed that the two stolen Bangladesh lemurs had reached Vantara and had been sold through intermediaries for around Rs4.8 million.
The crucial problem is proving that connection.
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Why is the Vantara link unverified?
The animals at Gazipur Safari Park did not have microchips or unique identification numbers. Authorities also did not maintain DNA profiles that could provide a direct scientific comparison.
That means investigators cannot identify individual lemurs simply by comparing photographs or their appearance.
Bangladesh authorities have considered creating a DNA profile using a related lemur remaining in the country, which could potentially help determine whether animals identified elsewhere are biologically related.
The lack of identification records has therefore become a major obstacle to confirming the Vantara claim and pursuing any possible repatriation.
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Why does the case matter?
Ring-tailed lemurs are native to Madagascar and are classified as endangered, making their movement through illegal wildlife networks an international conservation concern.
The stolen Bangladesh lemurs case also demonstrates why microchipping, DNA records and detailed identification systems can be critical when rare animals disappear from zoos or conservation facilities.
For now, the evidence supports one important conclusion: two of the missing animals were trafficked into India. Their subsequent journey, however, remains under investigation.
Until authorities obtain scientific or documentary evidence connecting them to specific animals in Gujarat, reports that they were found at Vantara should be treated as unverified.
Impact to expect
Scrutiny. The investigation could increase pressure on wildlife facilities and authorities across South Asia to strengthen animal identification, border monitoring and documentation designed to combat illegal wildlife trafficking.
