In urban areas that lie close to wilderness, closed buildings and unmanaged waste can unintentionally attract wildlife — quietly turning markets and storage spaces into accidental traps.

That is what happened a few weeks ago in Bhabaniganj Bazar, Cooch Behar, when shop owners began hearing strange noises from their locked godowns. What they discovered inside was not a thief, but a frightened golden jackal seeking shelter.

The concerned shop owners reached out to the HEAL’s rescue team. After coordinating with the Cooch Behar Range Forest Department, our team including Sanjib Barman, Subha Dey, Subarna Banik and led by Ardhnendu Banik, reached the site late at night.

They found that gaps in a long-unused godown door were allowing the jackal to slip inside and hide. Waste strewn across the space had also created ample hiding spots and dark corners.

After careful planning and multiple attempts to ensure the animal’s safety, the jackal was successfully rescued and released into a nearby forest the same night.

Abandoned buildings with structural gaps and leftover waste often draw wild animals closer to human habitation. Situations like these can quickly escalate into conflict — and too often, the animal pays the price. The simplest way to prevent this is by maintaining cleanliness and sealing entry points.

Prevention is not just easier than rescue — it is what truly protects both people and wildlife.