If you ever happen to visit Australia, be prepared to witness adorable kangaroos every now and then. Especially when you’re driving on a road that has lush greenery on either side, there is a good chance that you’ll spot kangaroos hopping about their day. While they are a common sight to witness in Australia, you wouldn’t think you’ll find them in West Bengal, would you?
But recent events dictate otherwise. According to The Indian Express, visuals have gone viral on social media which show kangaroos roaming on the roads of West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district. Forest officials have notified reporters that three kangaroos were rescued from different parts of the Siliguri.
WB | Forest officials rescued two Kangaroos near Gajoldoba in Jalpaiguri.
The kangaroos had some serious injuries on their bodies & have been sent to Bengal Safari Park for further treatment. A team has been formed to probe the matter: S Dutta, RO, Belakoba Forest Range (01.04) pic.twitter.com/kT40YmyDmq
— ANI (@ANI) April 1, 2022
This seems to be a case of animal smuggling, as unfortunately, there was a baby kangaroo that was found dead. The others have serious injuries on their bodies.
West Bengal | One more Kangaroo was rescued by forest officials from Farabari-Nepali busty in Dabgram forest range of Jalpaiguri last night from where two Kangaroos were rescued earlier on April 1st pic.twitter.com/mR4FmNZWnn
— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2022
“After being rescued, all three kangaroos were sent for treatment. We are surprised as to who brought these kangaroos here and how. We suspect these kangaroos were being smuggled to Nepal. But we are looking into the motive behind smuggling as well,” said a senior forest official.
Locals had first spotted these animals passing through their area. They were seen inspecting the surroundings and trying to eat grass from the roadside. The locals speculated if the animals escaped from a zoo.
Got this on WhatsApp. It looks like fled away from Zoo…anyone know the reality@IndiAves @ParveenKaswan pic.twitter.com/4WWWYwPVVQ
— Sudhakar Kumar (@MyPicsSpeaks) April 2, 2022
Here’s a video.
Just look at the poor, distraught animals who are clearly in a state of shock.pic.twitter.com/eVEceWGAHP— Soumyadipta (@Soumyadipta) April 2, 2022
Indian Forest Services officer Parveen Kaswan claimed that they were not a part of any zoo and were rescued by authorities.
They are not present in any zoo in this area. They are part of smuggling. Later seized. In zoo now for safe custody. Last month also two were arrested with a kangaroo. https://t.co/vUKY5VFx4x
— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) April 2, 2022
An investigation is underway which is looking into where these kangaroos came from, who brought them into Bengal and via which route
We have initiated further investigation for ascertaining the whereabouts of these Kangaroos, by whom and how they were brought into the forest along with finding the cause behind bringing them: S Dutta, RO, Belakoba Forest Range pic.twitter.com/b57f7PyVow
— ANI (@ANI) April 2, 2022
Imagine the torture these poor animals had to go through this entire time!