33 Python hatchlings born in Ctg zoo released into Hazarikhil sanctuary

Thirty-three Burmese python hatchlings born at Chattogram Zoo have been released into the wild at the Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary in Fatikchhari upazila, Chattogram.

The release, which took place this morning (4 July), was jointly carried out by the Forest Department and the Chattogram Zoo authorities as part of an ongoing initiative to conserve wildlife and maintain ecological balance.

Officials present during the release included Fatikchhari Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) Md Nazrul Islam, Hazarikhil Range Officer Shikdar Atikur Rahman, and Dr Shahadat Hossain Shubha, deputy curator of Chattogram Zoo.

"These hatchlings play a vital role in maintaining the food chain in natural ecosystems," said Dr Shubha. "After careful health monitoring and ensuring that they could adapt to natural conditions, we determined they were fit to return to the wild."

He added that the Hazarikhil Wildlife Sanctuary, known for its rich biodiversity and safe natural environment, has been used multiple times for such rewilding efforts due to its suitability as a secure habitat for reptiles and other wildlife.

"This type of reintroduction not only helps preserve biodiversity but also supports long-term environmental conservation goals," Dr Shubha said.

The 33 pythons were part of a breeding initiative launched in April 2025, when zoo officials collected 45 eggs from two adult pythons — 24 from one and 21 from another. The eggs were placed in specially made incubators within the zoo, where they underwent a 68–69 day incubation period. Seventeen hatchlings emerged between 11 and 13 June, and the remaining 16 hatched between 21 and 24 June.

This was the sixth successful Burmese python incubation at Chattogram Zoo since 2019. Including the latest batch, the zoo has now bred a total of 148 pythons through artificial incubation.

Previous breeding efforts produced 25 hatchlings in 2019, 28 in 2021, 11 in 2022, 16 in 2023, and 35 in 2024. So far, 80 of these pythons have already been released into the wild in four separate phases under the zoo's rewilding programme.

The latest release has been praised by conservationists and environmentalists, who see it as a meaningful step toward protecting native species and strengthening local ecosystems. They expressed hope that such initiatives will continue to expand and inspire similar conservation models across the country.

"The release of these pythons not only benefits the species but also helps preserve the delicate ecological balance in our forests," said Hazarikhil Range Officer Shikdar Atikur Rahman. "We believe these actions will keep both wildlife and the environment safer in the long run."

Chattogram Zoo aims to continue scaling up such initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to biodiversity protection.