Sitesh Ranjan Deb (known as Sitesh Babu), is a former professional hunter in Bangladesh who is now a notable wildlife conservationist.[1]
Sitesh Ranjan Deb | |
|---|---|
| সিতেশ রঞ্জন দেব | |
| Nationality | Bangladeshi |
| Occupation | Wildlife conservationist |
Personal life
editDeb grew up in a family that had been hunters, and in his youth, when hunting was not legally restricted, he himself was a professional hunter and wilderness guide.[2] However, his life changed in an accident in 1991 when he unexpectedly came face to face with a bear. He was injured severely, losing part of his face and right eye, before he managed to shoot the bear.[1][2][3] He quit hunting and focused on wildlife conservation.[1][4]
Zoo
editLocally, wild animals and their habitat have rapidly diminished as an enlarging human population has led to deforestation, often illegally, for timber and firewood.[2] Even before he stopped hunting altogether he had developed a zoo[1] which has rescued, rehabilitated and freed more than 3,000 animals.[3][5][6][7] The zoo has hosted many rare animal species such as the first recorded Burmese ferret-badger in Bangladesh.[8] His work has been featured in numerous news articles.[2][9][10][11]
References
edit- ^ a b c d Shafiq Alam (September 6, 2010). "Reformed hunter battles to save Bangladesh's wildlife". Dawn. Agence France-Presse(AFP).
- ^ a b c d Dan Morrison (September 22, 2010). "The One-Eyed Hunter and the Albino Fishing Cat". National Geographic. Archived from the original on April 11, 2011.
- ^ a b "From hunter to wildlife protector". Al Jazeera. Oct 25, 2010.
- ^ "Reformed hunter battles to save Bangladesh's wildlife". Terra Daily. Sep 27, 2010.
- ^ "Back to wild life: releases of wildlife by Sitesh Ranjan". The Daily Star. June 17, 2011.
- ^ "Releases of Wildlife: Have a different day at Sitesh Deb sanctuary". The Daily Star. January 4, 2013.
- ^ "Releases of Wildlife: Celebrating Baishakh (1st day of Bengali Year) in a different way". Bdnews24.com. April 15, 2011.
- ^ Islam MA, Chowdhury GW, Belant JL (October 2008). "First record of the Large-toothed Ferret Badger Melogale personata in Bangladesh" (PDF). IUCN/SSC Small Carnivore Specialist Group (SCSG). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-05-12.
- ^ Anbarasan Ethirajan (November 3, 2011). "The former hunter saving Bangladesh's wildlife". BBC News.
- ^ "Fishing cat, caught by locals". The Daily Star. March 6, 2012.
- ^ "Python lays eggs at mini zoo". The Daily Star. May 3, 2011.