Over-aged animals, no new replacements leave Rajshahi zoo unattractive to visitors

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Our Correspondent | Published: August 25, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

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RAJSHAHI, Aug 24: Over 90 per cent of animals, birds and reptiles, excepting deer of Shahid AHM Kamruzzaman Zoo (Rajshahi Central Zoo) in Rajshahi have turned senile and nearing the age of natural death. Due to lack of initiative to collect new, tender-aged zoo-exhibits, visitors are losing interest to visit the zoo. It is apprehended, if no new animals are replaced and added this age-old zoo may soon be declared abandoned.
Already over one hundred cages of the zoo are lying empty and abandoned. As a result, there are only a small number of animals, birds and reptiles for the visitors to watch at.
According to sources, former Home Minister and martyred national leader AHM Kamruzzaman established Rajshahi Central Zoo in 1972 on 100 acres of land with 400 animals of 50 species which included several deer, two gharials, a Royal Bengal Tiger, two crocodiles, monkeys, snakes and many species of birds.
The number of collection had increased during the last decade because of rapid regeneration of deer but the number of species has now been decreased. Among the exhibits at the zoo now included: one bear, two rock pythons, several dozens of spotted deer, three Indian asses, two gharials, two black vultures, several monkeys, baboons, an otter, hare, one white peacock, and some birds and pigeons. With the death of only lioness at her 14 on April last year the lion cage is empty now. So is the cage of Bengal tiger.
After visiting the whole area of the zoo this correspondent found the cages of snakes were empty apart from two Indian rock pythons, in one cage and an aged lone bear sleeping.
The happier scene can be seen in front of the monkey cages, their mischief and loitering in and around makes the visitors a little less gloomy. Baboons were seen eating bananas and vegetables, yet those seem suffering from malnutrition and diseases.
On the west side of the zoo, there is an enclosure with several dozens of spotted deer. The cage is also home to several asses and a mule.
Among the birds there are two black vultures, one white peacock and one cockatoo in the cages.
Dr. Farhad Uddin, Veterinary Surgeon of Rajshahi Central Zoo informed despite death of significant number of aged animals during last one decade, no new animals have been replaced at the zoo.
However, in 2010, roads, cages and spots inside the zoo were renovated and beautified at a cost of Tk 100 million. After beautification, the old, tattered cages were replaced but no new animal was brought to the zoo.
Dr. Farhad also said most of the animals at the zoo are either very old or of the same sex (single), so captive breeding of the animals is not being possible here.