Stranded Kitten in Bangladesh Rescued from Expressway After 8-Day Ordeal Amid Social Media Controversy

Kitten Rescued from Expressway in Dhaka

A dramatic rescue mission unfolded in Dhaka on 2 March, as a stranded kitten was saved from a cross girder of the elevated expressway in Mohakhali.

Despite multiple attempts on the day prior, workers struggled to reach the terrified animal, eventually setting up a trap overnight.

The kitten was finally secured the following morning, but the circumstances surrounding its presence on the expressway have sparked concerns about possible foul play.

Rescue Efforts Hampered by Challenges and Misinformation

The situation first gained public attention when a Facebook post highlighted the kitten’s plight. According to reports, DNCC administrator Mohammad Ejaz immediately ordered a rescue operation, deploying a team of workers to the scene, an animal welfare worker mentioned that DNCC was not even aware of any such situation.

Two hydraulic ladders were used in an attempt to reach the kitten, but the animal kept moving further away, making capture impossible.

By late Saturday night, realizing that a direct approach was ineffective, a trap with food was set up. Their plan paid off, and by 8:30 AM on Sunday, the kitten was safely retrieved.

Reports indicated that DNCC Public Health Officer (Veterinary) Md Lutfor Rahman confirmed that the animal was now under their care, despite an activist at the scene claimed with proof that the cat was taken to a different vet without any help from DNCC.

The rescue operation was not without complications. Welfare activist Ariz Ul Mulk, who played a key role in coordinating the mission, later shared a detailed and frustrated account of the behind-the-scenes chaos on Facebook.

He described how rumors of the kitten’s supposed rescue delayed action for days, how critical logistics were mismanaged, and how several individuals allegedly sought credit for work they did not do.

‘Nothing Would Have Happened If I Hadn’t Stepped In’

Ariz’s Facebook post revealed that the kitten had actually been stranded for seven to eight days before real rescue efforts began. He had originally planned to intervene three to four days earlier but hesitated after hearing false reports that the kitten had already been saved.

He described how multiple organizations, including animal welfare groups, attempted but failed to execute a successful rescue due to a mix of misinformation, bureaucratic obstacles, and logistical failures. According to him, securing proper approval from expressway authorities was another major hurdle.

“At first, I thought, I won’t get involved in this cat rescue case. Why put myself through so much trouble? But when I saw that no one was stepping up to take effective action, I had no choice but to get involved myself,” he wrote.

Despite assembling a team, navigating Dhaka’s notorious traffic congestion caused further delays. When they finally reached the site, they faced additional red tape as security personnel initially denied them access, citing protocol issues.

Eventually, a fire brigade was brought in, only for them to be called away to a separate emergency, leaving the rescuers stranded once again.

The Final Rescue: A 2 AM Revelation

Just when Ariz and his team thought the ordeal was over, a shocking discovery at 2 AM proved them wrong.

A photo surfaced showing the kitten was still in the exact same spot, meaning all their earlier efforts had been in vain.

Devastated but determined, Ariz quickly mobilized his team again. With financial help from welfare worker ‘Tehzeen,’ they secured additional supplies and launched another attempt. This time, a well-coordinated effort, including placing a safety net below the expressway in case of a fall, finally resulted in the kitten’s successful rescue.

Allegations of Staged Social Media Stunts

While welfare groups struggled to carry out the rescue, accusations surfaced that the kitten’s presence on the expressway may not have been accidental. Officials said that they suspect a YouTuber may have deliberately placed the kitten in the precarious location to create viral content.

Hasib Hasan Khan, Director of Traffic, Security, and Safety at First Dhaka Elevated Expressway Company Ltd, noted that similar incidents had occurred before.

“We suspect that a YouTuber left it there,” he said. “This isn’t the first time something like this has happened. Some content creators have been known to stage such incidents for viral videos and news coverage.”

Ariz’s post further highlighted these suspicions. He expressed frustration over certain individuals and organizations allegedly trying to claim credit for the rescue on social media without actually contributing.

He even described how one individual, Emil, unexpectedly jumped onto the fire truck despite objections and later tried to take credit for the operation. Other groups reportedly arrived at the scene only to take photos and videos before disappearing.

What Happens Next?

The rescued kitten is now safe under Ariz’s care, but the incident raises serious concerns. If social media-driven cruelty was involved, authorities may need to take stricter measures to prevent such reckless behavior.

Meanwhile, activists like Ariz continue to demand accountability from individuals and organizations who allegedly manipulated the situation for attention.

For now, the priority remains ensuring that such incidents, whether caused by negligence or deliberate actions, do not endanger innocent animals or the people trying to save them.

Find the post on the rescue here.