Dhaka:A Northern Plains Langur, locally known as the Jessore Hanuman, has been spotted for the first time on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus. Several students observed the animal near the university's Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC) around noon today. Shahadat Hossain Sumon, a 47th-batch student of the Department of Chemistry, reported that he and his friends noticed the langur at approximately 1200 pm while heading towards the Monpura area through the WRC vicinity, capturing a video of the sighting.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Dr. Monirul H Khan of JU's Department of Zoology stated that there was no prior record of a langur being seen on the university campus, although monkeys are occasionally present. He identified the animal as a Northern Plains Langur (Semnopithecus entellus), commonly known in Bangladesh as the Jessore Hanuman.
Professor Khan explained that Bangladesh hosts three species of langurs, with this particular type being an urban langur. Despite being a wild animal, it typically resides in areas inhabited by humans, often moving around human settlements in search of food, which includes food waste, fruits, and crops. He speculated that the langur might have reached the campus by travelling on a truck carrying food or fruits, as they sometimes climb onto such vehicles and travel long distances before disembarking at unfamiliar locations.
Professor Monirul also noted a recent sighting of the same species in Mongla, an area with no previous record of its presence. Wildlife experts indicate that the Northern Plains Langur is primarily found in some areas of southwestern Bangladesh, particularly in Keshabpur and Monirampur upazilas of Jashore. The species is classified as Endangered in Bangladesh's National Red List, facing threats from habitat loss, food scarcity, and conflicts with humans.
Professor Dr. Md Kamrul Hasan, a faculty member of the Department of Zoology and the teacher in charge of the Wildlife Rescue Centre, stated that the centre intends to rescue the animal. He expressed his commitment to directing his team to make every possible effort to search and rescue the langur from the designated area.