Gayal is another large sized mammal of our country. They are endangered all over the world. They can be infrequently seen in some places of Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. Gayal is the largest among cow type animals and it is critically endangered in our country. Species of Primates of Bangladesh are now endangered due to paucity of food and habitat. Gibbon, Slow loris and all 3 available species of Langurs are now declining. Among them, Gibbon, Phayre’s Langur and Gray Langur are critically endangered. Slow loris is the smallest among primates of Bangladesh. They are tree-living nocturnal animal. This mammal is critically endangered in Bangladesh. Pollinator and seed disperser this primate is disappearing from our country due to food and habitat shortage. Gibbons are a remarkable inhabitant of evergreen forest. They roam in tall trees. They are the only tail less primate of our country. They can be seen in forests of Chittagong, Hill Tracts, Cox’s Bazar and Moulovibazar. They live in group with male, female and their offspring. Their groups usually contain 2-5 members. Each group roam within a certain territory for feeding and shelter. They are very cautious about the boundary of their territory. They help in pollination and seed dispersal. They are endangered throughout the world but are critically endangered in our country. Gray Langur and Phayre’s Langur are also critically endangered mammals of Bangladesh. Gray Langurs can be seen in areas near south-western Jessore district. Their largest population can be seen in this region. For shortage of jungle and trees they are now living around human habitats. Each of their group usually contains 5-25 members. For not being completely tree-living they often come down to the ground. Phayre’s Langur is another critically endangered langur of our country. They are easily recognizable. The round whitish mark around their eyes looks almost like spectacle and so they are locally called as ‘Choshmapora Honuman’ (Spectacled Langur). They can be seen in evergreen forest of Sylhet, Chittagong and Hill Tracts. Presently, except Spotted Deer the rest 3 out of 4 available species of Deer of our country are endangered. Those endangered species are Sambar deer, Barking deer and Hog deer. Barking deer is the smalles deer species of our country. They have fascinating glance. They are mainly available in north-eastern and south-eastern evergreen forests of our country. Sambar deer is the largest available species of Deer in Bangladesh. A small population of this once widely available deer is now only available in evergreen forest of Chittagong. These Deers are being illegally hunted for meat and skin. Many people hang dead Deer’s skin and head with horn on the wall to decorate house. Our Deers are being threatened as a result of such fads. Once many mammals including: Fox, Civet, Mongoose, Squirrel, Hedgehog etc. used to be commonly seen in bushes around human habitat. But now population of those mammals is also decreasing. Various species of aquatic mammals can be seen in our Rivers, estuaries, coast of Cox’s Bazar & Teknaf, Sundarbans and Swatch of No-Ground of the Bay-of-Bengal. These mammals look completely different than terrestrial mammals. Like other mammals, they also give birth to their offspring and nurse their young with milk. As aquatic environment is being harmed, these aquatic mammals are now endangered. The most familiar Ganges River Dolphin is also not in good condition. They can also live in gentle salt water. For river pollution and decreased navigability these Dolphins have become rare now. They are marked as endangered species in Bangladesh. The number of endangered species of mammals is gradually increasing due to food shortage and destruction of habitat & breeding grounds. Climate change and massive human population growth are pushing these endangered mammals towards extinction. Moreover, aquatic environment is being polluted by insecticides, industrial wastes, toxic clinical waste and ship emitted oil. As a result, aquatic mammals are also being endangered. Besides, many people are illegally hunting various mammals to consume and to make luxury goods. General people also lack knowledge and awareness about wildlife. If it continues like this, the remaining mammals will also disappear in near future. Dependent organisms will also be severely harmed. The complete ecosystem will be harmed, which will adversely affect a large portion of human population. Accordingly, we must conserve these mammals by ensuring food supply and safe natural habitat for them. Only then ‘Better life in Balanced Nature’ will be ensured.

• published: 09 Sep 2014
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