A critically endangered Bengal Florican was allegedly poached and consumed in Assam’s Chirang district, triggering outrage among conservationists and wildlife experts. The incident occurred at Khungring Forest Village, located between Sikhna Jwhwloa National Park and the Sisubari range of Manas National Park.
Preliminary information suggested the bird was a subadult male Bengal Florican, one of the world’s rarest avian species. The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The incident drew further condemnation after allegations emerged that the accused, reportedly a local couple, filmed themselves cooking and consuming the bird and shared the visuals on social media. The content was widely circulated and later flagged by wildlife activists.
Conservationists warned that the killing of even a single Bengal Florican, with a global population estimated at fewer than 1,000, posed a serious setback to conservation efforts. Wildlife expert Dr Nilutpal Mahanta called for strict legal action to deter such crimes.
The matter was reported to the Forest Department, and conservation groups urged authorities to use social media evidence to expedite investigation and prosecution under existing wildlife protection laws.
