Cages empty, animals uncared for in Rangpur zoo

RANGPUR, Feb 19:  Rangpur zoo no longer attracts the visitors due to its shabby condition. The amusement spot is gradually losing its charm on account of inadequate attention and lack of maintenance.
Many cages of animals in the zoo have been lying empty for years turning the zoo into a charmless place. The zoo has no shade for many wild animals living in small enclosures which obstructs them from wandering around. These animals seem to have forgotten their inherent behaviour and hardly howl or growl.      
Sources said wild animals like lions, tigers and bears should get an opportunity to roam around freely in open space. But as Rangpur zoo has no such wide space all wild beasts are kept here in confinement for long. Consequently the animals have become feeble and sick.     
At Present, lions, Royal Bengal tigers, crocodiles, gharial, deer, peacocks, hippopotamus, bear and hundreds of birds are the main attraction for the visitors. Many animals including tigers and lions have become aged suffering from various diseases. There is also a small lake inside the zoo but it hardly draws attention of the visitors due to its bad shape.   
No new animals have been brought here for long while their number has decreased because of deaths of many animals in recent years. Since the zoo authorities are unable to make available different other animals such as kangaroo, zebra, giraffe, elephant, rhino to attract the visitors, the number of visitors is declining drastically, sources alleged.
Jewel (40), a resident of Rangpur city told The Financial Express that he along with his family members comes to visit the zoo at least twice in a month. But his children become morose when they fail to see attractive and interesting animals like giraffe, zebra, kangaroo, rhino etc. However, the zoo authorities claimed that they made several attempts to bring some new animals but the concerned authorities are yet to take any measures in this regard.