FACT CHECK: Bangladesh claims stolen Lemurs found at Vantara, but where’s the proof?

A Bangladeshi media report has claimed that two ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park were traced to Vantara in Gujarat. However, there is no scientific evidence to establish that the animals in Gujarat are the same lemurs that went missing from Bangladesh.

The main issue here is identification. The animals at Gazipur were not microchipped and the park also did not maintain unique identification numbers or DNA profiles for them.

What the Bangladeshi report claimed

Bangladeshi outlet Ajker Patrika reported that two ring-tailed lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park were found at Vantara in Gujarat.

First 3 🦘 were spotted in Jalpaiguri.
Then five Orangutans were found strolling in Baleshwar, Odisha.

Now Bangladesh CID claims two endangered lemurs stolen from Gazipur Safari Park spotted in Vanatara.
Allegedly sold for ₹4.8 million.

If true, this is a Huge Embarassment. pic.twitter.com/xTkWg9Ga0L

— D (@Deb_livnletliv) September 9, 2026 

The report cited Bangladesh’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and claimed that the animals were sold through several intermediaries for around Rs 4.8 million. Bangladesh has also sought Interpol’s assistance in the matter and wants the animals to be returned.

No scientific identification

There is a major gap in this claim. There is no individual identification record linking the lemurs at Vantara to the animals reported stolen from Gazipur.

The two lemurs had reportedly been at Gazipur Safari Park for more than five years. But the park did not microchip them or maintain unique identification numbers and DNA profiles.

Because of this, there is no reliable scientific record to establish that the animals at Vantara are the same two lemurs that went missing from Bangladesh.

Simply identifying them as ring-tailed lemurs, or comparing their general physical features, is not enough to prove their identity.

Claim remains unsubstantiated

Without a microchip, unique identification number or DNA evidence, the claim that the lemurs at Vantara are the stolen animals cannot be scientifically confirmed based on the available evidence.

This lack of identification records also makes the repatriation process difficult. Bangladesh would first need to establish, through credible evidence, that the animals in Gujarat are the same animals that were reported missing from Gazipur.

Bangladeshi outlet Ajker Patrika claims 2 lemurs at Gujarat’s Vantara are the same ones stolen from Gazipur Safari Park (Bangladesh), allegedly sold via middlemen for Rs 48 lakh and they demanded CID probe and Interpol investigation

The catch?
This story is completely fake
The… pic.twitter.com/KEdbpJBWvv

— STAR Boy TARUN (@Starboy2079) September 11, 2026 

Why the distinction matters

Vantara is a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation facility in Gujarat managed by Anant Ambani. The facility is part of a large conservation centre and works with rescued and rehabilitated wildlife.

Therefore, presenting the animals at Vantara as the stolen Bangladeshi lemurs without conclusive identification can create a misleading impression.

FACT: The claim that the two lemurs at Vantara are the animals stolen from Gazipur Safari Park has not been backed by scientific identification evidence such as microchip records, unique identification numbers or DNA profiles.