Bangladesh, March 7 -- In the heart of South Asia, Bangladesh finds itself embroiled in a battle against wildlife trafficking, struggling to protect its rich biodiversity from the grips of illicit trade networks. Recent incidents underscore the gravity of the situation, revealing Bangladeshs precarious position as both a source of and transit route for trafficked wildlife.

In March 2021, border guards made a startling discovery in the Tushkhali border area of Satkhira: seven Patagonian Mara, a species native to Argentina, were found abandoned in sacks. These near-threatened animals, never before seen in this part of the subcontinent, highlighted the extent of wildlife trafficking penetrating Bangladeshs borders.

Subsequent rescues of va...