Rajshahi Central Zoo in a deplorable condition

RAJSHAHI, Aug 11: Due to lack of sufficient collection of animals, birds and reptiles, visitors are losing their interest to visit Rajshahi Central Zoo.

It is learnt, 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 zoo remained the chief attraction of entertainment in Rajshahi for adults and children as well for the last forty years. But from after 2001, the zoo has lost its attraction as the number of collection of birds, animals and reptiles declined abnormally.

Lack of initiatives by the concerned authorities to increase collection of zoo items, death of animals, birds and reptiles and even theft of those were main causes that the visitors lost their interest to visit the zoo.

At present, almost all rare and attractive collections excepting deer are gone, the zoo turned deserted and failing to draw sufficient visitors.

Even some of the zoo animals and birds which are still alive and drawing some visitors, have turned senile and  nearing the age of natural death.  It is apprehended, if no new animals are replaced and added soon, this age-old zoo would 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.

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, several hare, one white peacock, and some birds and pigeons.

With the death of only a lioness at her 14 on April in 2013, 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 excepting two Indian rock pythons, in one cage an aged lone bear.

The happier amusing 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 donkeys and a mule.

Among the birds there are two black vultures, one white peacock and one cockatoo in the cages.

According to the officials, there are 22 permanent and 25 temporary workers employed for the maintenance of the zoo. Many of the temporary workers have been working for 12 to 15 years.

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 taka ten crore. After beautification, the old, tattered cages were replaced and new 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 there.

According to the officials of the zoo, on an average 600 to 800 visitors visit the zoo daily. Many students of different schools and colleges from all over the country also visit the zoo for picnicking.

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