Dhaka, March 13 -- The Forest Department has released a seven-inch gecko into the woods after rescuing it from a residential hotel in Khagrachhari Sadar.

Two suspected smugglers arrested with the animal were sent to jail in a case filed over the incident on Friday afternoon, said Mosharraf Hossain, the department's Khagrachhari Sadar Range officer.

Hafez Ali, 38, and Amirul Islam, 29, residents of Langadu Upazila in Rangamati, were arrested in a joint raid by the Forest Department and police at the hilly town's hotel "The Green Valley" on Thursday, he said.

They were charged under the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Ordinance, 2026.

Mosharraf said the gecko was released following a court order.

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