Two giraffe calves have been born at the National Zoo in Mirpur. The calves were born last week and are still in their mother's care.

The zoo's scientific officer, Dr Md Waliur Rahman, gave the information to Jago News on Wednesday (15 September).

"The two calves were born last week. As they are in their mother's care, it has not been possible to go near them. They are doing well," he said.

Earlier, in August, two tiger cubs were born at the zoo. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Sh M Rezaul Karim named them Durjoy and Obantika.

The National Zoo was closed from 2 April this year as Covid infections rose. It reopened its gates to visitors on 27 August, after five months. In 2020 the zoo had reopened on 1 November after being closed for eight months.

Zoo director Abdul Latif said breeding had increased thanks to the quiet surroundings and a balanced diet while the zoo was closed.

About 350 animals were born during the closure, he said. Among the birds, more than 130 peacocks, 23 emus and more than 80 herons (kani, nishi, cormorant and flamingo herons) were hatched. Some of the herons have been released into the wild.

The zoo also recorded the births of 70 spotted deer, one hippopotamus, two South African impalas, three donkeys, two zebras, one common eland and three "African horses".

On Wednesday morning (15 September) there were few visitors at the zoo. No one was allowed in without a mask, but no one was seen being given hand sanitiser. Many people had travelled from far away.

A visitor named Adnan told Jago News: "I have come to the zoo after a long time. My nephew asked for it, so I came from Noakhali." Expressing satisfaction with the overall state of the zoo, he said: "There are no hawkers like before, and it has become very clean."

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