Jumbangla Desk: When Bahadur's name is called, the ferocious animal of the forest, the hawk, comes and sits. After eating, he goes back to the big tree. He also protects the young of the domestic fowl from the ferocious animals. The friendship of Roman and Bahadur is the best example of how even a wild bird of prey can be brought to love. Such friendship between man and wild falcon was seen in Bara Moolna village of Jazira Upazila of Shariatpur.

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Animal lover Roman Chayal is the son of Mojibur Chayal of Bara Moolna village in Upazila. He works as a contractor.

Talking to the local people and Roman's family, it is known that Roman Chayal was very fond of animals since he was a teenager. Two years ago, he rescued a sick falcon from the cropland near the house. Roman took the bird to Jazira Upazila Veterinary Hospital for recovery. After about two weeks of treatment and Roman's services, the bird recovered. Roman released the bird into the forest after recovery. But the sick falcon could feel that he was healed by Roman's love and service. So he did not leave Roman. Although the bird was repeatedly released into the forest, it came back showing its love for Roman. Since then the falcon has been raised with utmost care and love as a member of Roman's family with the name Bahadur. Different kinds of fish are bought daily for the bird's food.

Initially the family members expressed their displeasure, but now Bahadur has become loved by everyone like a small child in the house. Along with Roman, they also served Bahadur with utmost compassion. Roman's family also keeps an eye on that no one can harm Bahadur. Bahadur also forgot the violence of the forest after getting the love of people. Bahadur's main job now is to protect the chicks of the house fowl from predatory animals. Roman's mother Hosne Ara Begum and younger brother Saim Chayal looked after Bahadur in Roman's absence. Bahadur lives in various big trees around the house during the day and in a tree near Roman's house at night. With love and care, wild birds and humans can become friends. Many praise Roman for having such a rare relationship with a forest bird.

Roman's younger brother Saim Chayal. He said that many people talked a lot after picking up the bird. But after he was brought home from the hospital, people started talking more harshly. Now the bird is a member of our household. When brother is not at home, mother and I take care of the bird. When the people of the village catch fish, they give it to Bahadur with love. For Bahadur, no ferocious bird, dog can come near the little chick of the house. Bahadur forgot his violence and adopted us all, we also made Bahadur a member of the family.

A local named Tota Madbar said that Roman has been an animal lover since childhood. After finding the sick falcon in a cropland and informing Roman, Roman took the bird to the hospital and nursed it back to health. The falcon remained with Roman after recovering from his service.

Jannatul Ferdous Nusrat said, Bahadur did not leave even though he was released repeatedly. He came home on time and went to the big tree after eating. Bahadur is loved by everyone in the village. Bahadur benefits the villagers.

Golbahar Begum, a neighbor of Roman said, "We have benefited a lot from rearing the falcon." Earlier, birds of prey used to catch and eat small domestic poultry chicks. Now the hawk protects these little chicks in the house.

Animal lover Roman Chayal said, after the bird recovered, when we released it in the forest, it did not go back to the forest. I understand that my service during his illness impressed him. Then I named him Bahadur. Once the bird realized his name was Bahadur. Now he comes to me when I call him Bahadur. He benefits the people of the village in various ways including the house. Village people also love to give him various food including fish. We forget that we are friends even though we have done great favors to each other in our lives but we have quarrels over petty issues. But do not forget Bahadur. Even after releasing the forest bird in the forest, he has become a member of our family by making friends with me.

Shariatpur Jazira Upazila Livestock Officer (Acting) Dr. Md. Sohag said Bahadur was brought to our hospital by Roman. With our treatment and Roman's service, the hawk recovered. But after recovery, the hawk was released into the forest but did not return to the forest. Remained with Roman. Friendship of Roman and Bahadur is an example of friendship between man and forest animals if they get love. Source: Dhaka Post