To the left of the main gate of the National Zoo in Mirpur is a pocket gate through which visitors cannot enter. A banner hangs there reading: "In line with the government decision, entry of visitors to the National Zoo is temporarily banned to control the coronavirus situation." The zoo has been closed to visitors since last Friday because of coronavirus. Even so, on the third day of the "strict restrictions" announced by the government, several people broke the rules and came to the zoo.

Jagonews spoke to a few of those who came to see the zoo at midday on Wednesday (7 April). Every one of them said they had not known the zoo was closed.

The wild animals at the zoo are as before, and they are being fed on their usual routine. But with no visitors, the animals are much calmer, according to the caretakers who look after them.

The government closed the National Zoo in Mirpur in the capital and the Rangpur zoo from last Friday (2 April) as coronavirus infections rose.

The zoo's information officer, Dr Md Waliur Rahman, told Jagonews that the zoo is closed to visitors because of rising coronavirus infections, but its normal work is going on.

He said the animals are being fed as on other days, and since there are no visitors, they are in a calm mood.

He added that for wild animals, humans are enemies; they live in forests and jungles and stay out of sight. The caretakers have become their friends because they feed and rear them. When the animals see visitors, they become uneasy and aggressive. That is not happening now, and they are staying calm in the quiet surroundings.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.