SILIGURI/JALPAIGURI: Foresters in Jalpaiguri have rescued three kangaroos and found the carcass of a fourth since Friday, setting off fears of a thriving wildlife smuggling racket in the area. Barely three weeks ago, an adult red kangaroo had been rescued from Kumargram near Buxa on the Bengal-Assam border. The animals, native to Australia, are not found in the wild in India.
A forest department patrol party and passers-by first spotted two kangaroos hopping along the busy Gajoldoba Canal Road on Friday evening. Another was found in a forest patch nearby. The foresters suspect the animals were being smuggled to Nepal and were abandoned by the roadside when the perpetrators realised a patrol party was doing the rounds.
“We received information about wildlife smuggling. Around 8.30pm, a patrol team near Gajoldoba Canal Road found the kangaroos. They were rescued and brought to Belakoba range office,” said ranger Sanjay Dutta.
On Saturday morning, residents of Nepali bustee spotted a dead kangaroo. “It is suspected the animal was killed by a dog or jackal,” said a forester.
