Eleven zebras at Bangabandhu Safari Park in Gazipur died from excess nitrate in grass and a mixed bacterial infection. Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin gave this finding from the report of the probe committee at a press briefing at the Secretariat on Wednesday (23 February).

In line with the report's recommendations, it has been decided to file criminal cases so that those responsible can be specifically identified and legal action taken, the minister said.

He said it appeared to the committee that all the zebras died from the effect of excess nitrate in grass and mixed bacterial infection. Excess nitrate was found in the grass they were given, and the committee concluded this was why they died. Urea fertiliser is usually applied to grass, and if animals are given it to eat right after it is spread, this can happen. There is a proper time: if the grass is fed three, four or six weeks later the animals are not affected, but within one or two weeks it can happen.

The minister said negligence was found on the part of everyone responsible for looking after the zebras. It appeared to the committee that the bellies of the first three dead zebras were cut with something sharp to cover up their deaths and make them look like injuries. The report says a thorough investigation is needed to find out who cut them open.

The minister did not give a specific number of officials and employees found responsible.

He said that although the rules require the officer-in-charge to call a meeting of the safari park medical board at the request of the veterinary officer on duty, no emergency meeting was called even after so many zebras died unnaturally, which amounts to negligence by the officials concerned. And although it is customary to file a general diary (GD) over an animal's unnatural death, none was filed with the police in this case, which is mysterious.

"The environment ministry's secretary visited the safari park on 22 January. By that day eight zebras had died, yet neither the project director, the officer-in-charge, the veterinary officer nor anyone else on duty informed the secretary. This shows that there was an attempt from the start to cover up the zebra deaths. This is abnormal, unacceptable and inconsistent with the conduct expected of government employees, and amounts to dereliction of duty," he said.

Shahab Uddin said the committee made 24 recommendations for the park's development, 11 short-term, 4 medium-term and 9 long-term, which will be implemented in phases.

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