Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter has said that caring for the animals in the zoo is our moral duty. Stressing humane treatment of animals, she said proper care and protection of the zoo's animals must be ensured, and conserving endangered animals must make a positive contribution to the animal world.

The adviser said this at a views-exchange meeting at the Interpretation Centre after visiting the National Zoo at midday on Saturday (October 25).

She said the National Zoo is a priceless asset of the nation, one that reflects the country's civilisation, culture and conduct. "We want to build a zoo that is beautiful, educational and entertaining for everyone," she said.

On visitors' behaviour, the adviser said that visitors sometimes tease the animals in their excitement. She called on the zoo authorities to take effective measures to make sure no animal is teased, and on visitors to be more aware and considerate.

On modernising the zoo, she said there can be no permanent solution to the zoo's problems without modernisation. To this end, work is under way on the "Bangladesh National Zoo and Rangpur Zoo Modernisation Project". Once the project receives full approval from the Ministry of Planning, the modernisation work can move forward.

The adviser said that, for now, steps have been taken to meet the zoo's urgent needs with the Tk 40 crore allocation received under the project.

The meeting was chaired by Md Abu Sufian, director general of the Department of Livestock Services. Also present were zoo director Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder, Department of Livestock Services director Boyjar Rahman and Central Poultry Farm director Zinat Sultana.

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