The mystery surrounding the recent death of 16 langurs in West Bengal’s Howrah district has been uncovered. The langurs apparently died after consuming biscuits laced with rat poison, which they had snatched from an itinerant vendor.
The garland of poisoned biscuits that the vendor was wearing was part of his wares. After being attacked by langurs near Manikpur market in the Sankrail police station of the district the vendor fled from the spot. The incident happened in the afternoon of January 4.
Soon after stealing the garland of biscuits, the langurs started falling off the trees dead. The incident sparked considerable concern among the locals who then informed the forest department.
“Post mortem of the animals have shown that they died after consuming poison,” Majedar Rahman, Divisional Forest Officer, Howrah told The Hindu .
He pointed out that while 15 langurs died on January 4 one death was reported on January 5. Forest officials, however, managed to save some of the langurs who had consumed poison.
“We have rescued four ailing langurs who are being treated at the rescue centre of the State Forest Department in Salt lake,” Mr Rahaman said.
The forest officials are also keeping an eye open for any other langur ailing in the area.According to the forest official, a case has been registered against the vendor under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 but the vendor remains at large
