麻豆APP

A photo of an entrance to Bangladesh National Zoo by Niriho khoka –

Top 10 Fascinating Facts about Bangladesh National Zoo

Bangladesh National Zoo is a zoo located in the Mirpur section of Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh. The zoo contains many native and non-native animals and wildlife. Native wild animals are animals that belong to a particular region. They live or grow there naturally and were not brought there.

Non-native animals are animals that are not indigenous to a particular area. Take note that non-native species originate somewhere other than their current location and have been introduced to the area where they now live. In the article are the top ten fascinating facts about Bangladesh National Zoo.

1. Bangladesh National Zoo is a tourist attraction centre

A photo of tourists at Bangladesh National Zoo by Shirin_Kona –

It is very expected of a place with native and non-native animals to have visitors to see the animals. Of course, this is fascinating! The zoo hosts about three million visitors each year. The zoo attracts around 10,000 visitors every day with the number increasing during the weekend.

2. Bangladesh National Zoo was initially called Dhaka Zoo

A photo of a herd of Cheetal deers by Syed Sajidul Islam –

The name of the zoo has been changed on 5 February 2015 from Dhaka Zoo to Bangladesh National Zoo. The reason behind changing the name was to bring about a different national zoo from the original one.

The old-fashioned idea of having caged animals in a zoo just for the entertainment of people will be over. The management will come up with a strategic idea where wild animals live in an environment similar to their natural habitat, where people can observe them from a safe distance.

3. Bangladesh National Zoo is experiencing mismanagement issues

Mismanagement of public projects and enterprises is always common in Third World countries. The zoo is also known for its poor conditions for animals and the corruption of its officials.

The officials of the zoo embezzle funds that are meant for the development of the zoo. The yearly budget of Dhaka Zoo is Tk 37.5 million, out of which Tk 25 million is spent on feeding the animals. The animals are not provided with enough food and they are caged despite the funds being provided.

This makes it hard for them since flesh-dependent animals like lions and leopards cannot predate on others. Let us join hands and protect our wild animals since they bring income to the economy from tourism activities.

4. The zoo is the largest in Bangladesh

Bangladesh National Zoo map photo by Shariful iea –

Bangladesh National Zoo was established in 1974. It covers an area of 186 acres. This makes it the largest zoo in Bangladesh. Bangladesh National Zoo is operated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. The zoo is currently home to 2,150 animals from 134 species.

5. The zoo has its main objectives

A photo of an ostrich in Bangladesh National Zoo by Ferdous –

Bangladesh National Zoo has five main principles or objectives. The principles include; the introduction of wildlife to the public by creating public awareness, conservation by the collection and breeding of rare and endangered species, research & education, recreation, and ensuring animal welfare.

6. Bangladesh National Zoo is under a diversification plan

A photo of mugger crocodile in Bangladesh National Zoo by Khaled0147 –

The zoo will be divided into five zones. Bangladesh habitat zone for local animals, African habitat for African animals, and another for domestic animals will be made. Currently, some domestic and wildlife animals like buffalo and domestic goats share the same habitat and eat the same food.

Other zones will be active zone for children to play. The last zone in the zoo will be dedicated to nocturnal animals. Nocturnal animals are those animals that are active at night such as bats.

7. The zoo has received many criticisms since the 2009 incident

The 2009 incident is bout several animals that died while in the care of the zoo. Seems that the mismanagement of the animals in the zoo started that early. After several animal deaths in 2009, the zoo curator and deputy curator were temporarily suspended.

After the incident committee was formed to investigate the deaths. The Zoo administration claimed that its main problem was the lack of veterinary doctors.

The management seemed to have not been serious with the animals by employing only one veterinary doctor. They further claimed that they had just claimed the addition of staff to the zoo.

The zoo is noted by international agencies as corrupt. When South Africa sent their two black rhinoceros to Dhaka in 2013, they were not at ease. Conservation groups in South Africa expressed concerns over of appalling treatment of animals, calling it a “Hell hole.”

8. The zoo has Bengal Royal Tigers

A photo of Royal Bengal Tiger in a cage by Iamahmadiqbal –

Bangladesh homes 15 royal Bengal tigers. The Bengal tiger is a population of the Panthera tigris Tigris subspecies. It ranks among the biggest wild cats alive today. It is considered to belong to the world’s charismatic megafauna.

The tiger is estimated to have been present in the Indian subcontinent since the Late Pleistocene, for about 12,000 to 16,500 years. Today, it is threatened by poaching, loss, and fragmentation of habitat. According to their population estimation, Bengal tigers are fewer than 2,500 wild individuals by 2011.

9. The zoo has three individuals from the big five

A photo of a lion and a lioness in Bangladesh National Zoo by RafidAlvi –

The 鈥淏ig Five鈥� is a term that is used to refer to the 5 African animals that early big game hunters considered the most difficult and dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa. Animals in the big five bracket are elephant, lion, leopard, buffalo, and rhino.

Bangladesh National Zoo, however, has three of the most dangerous animals to hunt on foot in Africa. The animals include; The elephant family, the lion’s family, and the rhino family.

10. The zoo is home to 2,150 animals from 134 species

A photo of a peacock at Bangladesh National Zoo by Talat 99 –

Dhaka Zoo has a rich collection of animals, birds, and wildlife of both local and foreign origin. It has 2150 types of Vertebrata belonging to 191 species. These include; 551 mammals of 64 species, 73 reptiles of 15 species, 104 aquarium fishes belonging to 32 different species, and 1500 birds of 91 species.

The most attractive exhibits of the zoo are 15 royal Bengal tigers, 21 Lions, 9 hippopotami, about 200 monkeys, and 33 pythons. It has eleven other tigers of different species, 16 lions, eight hippopotamus, 65 monkeys, and 14 giant snakes beside some rare animals and birds like zebra, emu, black bear, and goyal.

As you can see the deer, monkey, and elephant park turned into a precious national zoo that is worth visiting. So don’t miss out to visit the zoo if you are in Bangladesh or if you have a planned tourist activity in Bangladesh. The zoo is of course open to the public