With visitors kept out for a long time, the animals of the National Zoo have grown plump. Without the daily noise of people, the caged animals and birds were able to grow in their own way.

The zoo reopened to visitors on Sunday (1 November), and after so long, crowds gathered there. Some animals were seen spending the day in some discomfort as many people disturbed them in various ways.

The National Zoo in Mirpur had been closed for seven and a half months because of the coronavirus. No entry fee was charged that day. City people came with their families looking for entertainment to break out of life at home, and children made up a comparatively large share of the visitors.

Dhaka residents were delighted to see the animals after so long, and it was as if the children had a chance to breathe freely again.

The National Zoo in Mirpur, the largest in the country, covers 186 acres. Since 1974, thousands of visitors have come every day from near and far. The zoo has 45 carnivores of eight species, 271 large herbivores of 21 species and 212 small mammals of 21 species.

It also has 72 reptiles of 10 species, 1,162 birds of 56 species, and 2,627 fish of 136 species kept in aquariums. Altogether there are 137 cages for animals and birds, and 115 animals of various kinds have been born.

With no visitors for a long time, the zoo's animals had the chance to live in their own way, passing their days in an undisturbed, natural environment and growing quickly. Thanks to regular care, many animals and birds have grown plump.

Although staff kept announcing over loudspeakers that people must follow health rules on entry, wear masks, not disturb the animals and not crowd together, many young and old ignored the instructions. Many were seen walking around inside without masks. Many crossed the set boundaries of the cages to get close to the animals and disturb them in various ways, and many animals were seen to be irritated. Some were seen running about and screaming in their cages.

The zoo authorities said entry had been declared free for visitors on the first Sunday of every month until 2021 to mark Bangabandhu's birth centenary. In line with that, visitors were let in without tickets that day (Sunday), which is why the crowd was somewhat larger. Students are being given priority.

Zoo curator Dr Abdul Latif told Jagonews24: "With visitors kept out for a long time, the animals have grown in their own way. In the past seven and a half months without visitors, 115 animals of various kinds have been born. With nutritious food and regular care, they have grown plump. Although the zoo has reopened, various measures have been put in place, including at the entrance, to ensure health rules are followed. Visitors are not being allowed in with food. The zoo is open to visitors from 10am to 5pm."

He added: "We have taken various steps to ensure health rules are followed. No one is given a ticket without a mask, there is soap and water for handwashing inside, warnings are announced over loudspeakers all the time, people over 65 are discouraged from entering, and the inside and outside have been cleaned. Even though we announce it again and again, some people are not following the health rules. Many are trying to disturb the animals in various ways. Warnings are being given over loudspeakers and security staff are monitoring." He urged the public to be careful so that health rules are followed and the animals are kept well.

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