Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, pointing out that animals in zoos are not treated humanely, has said that the national zoo should not be considered only by the standards of revenue or entertainment. The zoo could be established as a symbol of the country’s unique identity.
She said these things in her speech as the chief guest at a workshop titled “Current Condition and Development Plan of Bangladesh National Zoo” held in the hall room of the Bangladesh Cotton Development Board at Farmgate in the capital on Sunday. The workshop was organised by the Bangladesh National Zoo Authority.
The Fisheries and Livestock adviser said that the solution to the crisis the zoo is currently in is not possible for any single individual, not even if the DG or the director alone wishes it, because this problem has persisted for many years. Therefore, it is necessary to work in a coordinated manner involving the department, zoo officials, university researchers, and all relevant parties.
She said, “Today we have received many suggestions that we would not have gotten if we held meetings amongst ourselves. In the future, we will form a committee that will include experienced persons from all areas. If necessary, everyone will sit together every month to determine what can be done for the development of the zoo.”
The adviser said that the conservation plan for zoo animals should not be limited only within the zoo. It must also be considered whether some animals can be relocated to suitable natural environments. She said, discussions are also needed regarding whether animals nearing their natural time of death should be kept in the zoo or relocated elsewhere.
She said that sometimes various research institutions express interest in conducting research on zoo animals. She further said that animals will not be sent out for research. If research needs to be done, then the researchers must come to the zoo and conduct their research within that environment.
The welcome speech at the workshop was given by the Director (Administration) of the Department, Dr Md Boyjar Rahman. The keynote paper was presented by the Director of the Zoo, Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukdar. Discussions on the keynote paper were held by former Curator of the Zoo, Dr ABM Shahid Ullah, Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dr Md Jahangir Alam, Brigadier Tawhidur Rahman, and others.
