BSF stops alpaca smuggling attempt at India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal

The Border Security Force (BSF) at the Banpur border outpost in West Bengal stopped an unusual smuggling attempt, where an alpaca was being illegally brought into India from Bangladesh. Alpacas, native to the Andes in South America, are prized for their wool, making this incident both rare and alarming according to BSF officials. The animal, rarely seen in this part of the world, was reportedly being smuggled for private collections or breeding purposes.

The BSF spotted three Bangladeshi smugglers using a bamboo ladder to pass the alpaca over the international border fence, while four Indian accomplices waited on the Indian side to receive the animal. As the smugglers attempted to cross the fence, the BSF fired a blank round, causing the Indian smugglers to flee into a nearby mango orchard, while the Bangladeshi smugglers retreated back across the border.

DIG N K Pandey of BSF’s South Bengal Frontier praised the swift response of the troops. “The swift and decisive actions of our vigilant troops are a testament to BSF’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding our borders and protecting wildlife,” he said in a statement. The alpaca was immediately handed over to the Forest Department for rehabilitation and care as per protocol.

West Bengal’s borders have long been a favored route for wildlife traffickers, with several incidents of illegal smuggling recorded along the India-Bangladesh border. The BSF has made numerous seizures in recent years, including endangered species like Indian star tortoises. According to experts, wildlife trafficking is driven by high demand for exotic animals in private collections, zoos, and breeding farms, with the alpaca likely being destined for one of these purposes.

An expert on wildlife trafficking, who spoke anonymously, noted that strict central government regulations around wildlife import and the high duties on livestock encourage illegal trafficking. The expert added, “Unique animals like the alpaca are not commonly seen in this region, which is why they hold a special appeal for collectors.”