The animals of the National Zoo are doing well. With visitors barred, they are spending their days playing and eating as they please, and new members are expected in several animal families. The authorities, however, claim a quarter is running a smear campaign through various channels to damage the zoo's image.

A visit to the National Zoo in Mirpur on Sunday, 27 June, found that the carnivores, including nine Royal Bengal tigers, four lions, a leopard, five fishing cats, three hyenas, five bears and 13 foxes, are putting on weight. Before, between 10,000 and 50,000 visitors came every day from far and near, but entry has been stopped because of the coronavirus. As a result a wildlife-friendly environment has developed inside the zoo, and the animals, left to themselves, are fresher than before.

Meanwhile, a few photos claiming that the National Zoo's carnivores were starving to death were posted in a Facebook group. The post went viral, and many people rebuked the zoo authorities and left disappointed comments. The zoo authorities have confirmed that the photos are not of any animal at the National Zoo or at the government zoo in Rangpur.

Asked about it, National Zoo director Dr Md Abdul Latif told Jagonews on Sunday: "About two months ago, photos of some hungry Royal Bengal tigers and lions were posted on a Facebook page called 'Amra Mirpurer Polapain'. Many people contacted us to find out about it. In fact, these are not pictures of animals at any government zoo in our country. All our animals are very well. They are spending their days happily in their own way."

He said a quarter was trying to damage the National Zoo's image by posting such photos and that propaganda was being spread against them. He invited those making such allegations to come and see for themselves once the zoo reopens.

The director said: "All the animals at the zoo are now fresh and in high spirits. Around the sheds of carnivores at risk of catching the coronavirus, such as tigers, lions, leopards, bears, fishing cats and foxes, anti-corona spray is applied twice a day, morning and afternoon. Staff work in these sheds wearing protective equipment."

He added that 60 percent of the National Zoo's officers and staff have been vaccinated against the coronavirus.

According to information available, the zoo, spread over 186 acres, is the largest in the country, and thousands of visitors have come every day from far and near since 1974. It has 37 carnivores of 11 species, 271 large herbivores of 19 species and 198 small mammals of 18 species.

There are also 72 reptiles of 10 species, 1,262 birds of 56 species and 928 fish of 29 species kept in the aquarium, housed in 137 cages in all. The zoo has two large scenic lakes where plenty of native fish are farmed. New members are also expected in the Royal Bengal tiger family within the next two weeks.

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