A mini zoo has been set up in a remote village of Parbatipur in Dinajpur, with animals, birds, children's play equipment and a selfie booth.

The mini zoo, which grew out of a dumba sheep farm started as a hobby, is drawing more and more visitors. Many people are holding events such as birthdays and wedding anniversaries at its cat cafe.

It was set up by Dinajpur engineer Md Roichuddin Mia (Bablu) on two acres of land in March this year.

Besides a picnic spot, the zoo now has peacocks, a three-legged cow, dumba sheep, monkeys, Australian doves, Chinese ducks, Brahma chickens, foreign cats, emus, foreign mice, spotted deer, cockatiels, foreign dogs, cats, rabbits and tortoises, among other animals and birds.

The site is the Abu Taher Mia Agro Farm, beside the road at North Maranai (Taherpara) in ward 8 of Habra union, 5 km via Ambari from the middle of the Dinajpur-Phulbari highway and 15 km south of Parbatipur town. That farm is the mini zoo. Entry costs Tk 20.

Md Faruk Mia and Aktarul Islam, visitors from Dinajpur, said: "After we entered, two foreign cats followed us and stayed with us the whole time, as if they were guides to the zoo. The mini zoo has caught everyone's attention in a short time and it is busier on holidays. Anyone can easily come here alone or with friends. There is a picnic spot inside and play facilities for children. Walking through this quiet, peaceful zoo you will enjoy hearing birdsong all around."

Local resident and teacher Zahurul Haque said visitors have been coming from different places since the zoo opened, more on holidays, and anyone can enter with a ticket of just Tk 20. "The zoo is gradually becoming known. When the owner started this work in a remote village, many thought it was madness. Now word of the village is spreading online. If it keeps going like this, it will also benefit the local economy."

Founder Md Roichuddin Mia (Bablu) said: "I run a farm of dumba sheep and foreign goats, which I have been doing for about two and a half years. Then, as a hobby, I set up the mini zoo this year for entertainment. I am trying everything to make it more attractive to people. Besides the picnic spot, I am trying to bring in ostriches, donkeys and other animals and birds, and I would like to keep endangered and rare species too. With the support I am getting from neighbours, it will be possible to expand it further." For children, there are various toys, a selfie booth and a footbridge.

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