A conservation project aims to reintroduce the critically endangered crocodilians to their former habitats.
Mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), once widespread in Bangladesh, are now regionally extinct due to habitat loss, hunting and human-wildlife conflict. However, some conservationists believe they can be reintroduced to the country, as they play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of wetlands.
A recent study by researchers from the Bangladesh Forest Department and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed the feasibility and challenges of mugger crocodile reintroduction in Bangladesh and identified some potential sites for the project. The study also highlighted the need for public awareness, community participation and legal support to ensure the success and sustainability of mugger crocodile conservation in Bangladesh
According to the IUCN Bangladesh, the mugger crocodile was deemed to be regionally extinct in Bangladesh in 2000. However, the recent recovery of the three muggers in the country has sparked widespread speculation among wildlife lovers and experts as to whether the reptile species has returned to the wild in Bangladesh.
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