The vigilant jawans of Border Outpost Bhattupada of 56 Battalion under BSF South Bengal Frontier, while taking action against wildlife smugglers on the India-Bangladesh border of Nadia district of West Bengal, Rescued an African wild cat (Serval – Leptailurus Serval) from the clutches of smugglers. When the smugglers were trying to smuggle this wild cat from India to Bangladesh.
It is known that Serval (Leptailurus Serval) is a wild cat of Africa. This cat, widely found in sub-Saharan countries, is common in areas outside the rainforest areas. Throughout its territory, it enjoys multinational protection from hunting and poaching, where hunting of the animal is either completely prohibited or strictly controlled.
On 25.12.2024, during the second shift duty at Border Outpost Bhattupara, BSF jawans noticed 03/04 miscreants suspiciously coming towards IBBR in Indian territory. The jawan immediately alerted his fellow jawan on radio set and rushed towards the suspects and saw that two miscreants were carrying a big box and when the jawans challenged the smugglers, they dropped the box near the IBBR and fled taking advantage of darkness and papaya orchard. The jawans seized the wooden box and on checking it, an African wild cat was found in it. The jawans took the box into custody and brought it to the Border Outpost for further action.
The Rescued African wild cat has been handed over to Krishnanagar Forest Department, Nadia district for further rehabilitation.
The Public Relations Officer of BSF South Bengal Frontier, Shri N.K. Pandey, DIG, while praising the jawans said: “The prompt and decisive action of our vigilant jawans is yet another example of BSF’s unwavering commitment to safeguard the nation’s borders and its wildlife. The rescue of this African wild cat (Serval – Leptailurus serval) is not only a victory in the fight against wildlife smuggling but also a testimony to the effectiveness of our border security protocols.”
