Farida Akhtar calls for humane treatment and reform at National Zoo

Fisheries and Livestock Adviser, Farida Akhtar, has said that animals in zoos are often not treated humanely, stressing that the National Zoo should not be viewed merely as a source of revenue or entertainment, but as "a symbol of the country's unique identity".

She made the remarks while delivering the keynote speech at a workshop entitled "Current Status and Development Plan of Bangladesh National Zoo", held at the Bangladesh Cotton Development Board hall in the capital's Farmgate area this morning. The event was organised by the Bangladesh National Zoo Authority.

The adviser said the longstanding challenges facing the zoo cannot be solved by any single individual, not even the director general or director. "All concerned parties—including the department, zoo officials, and university researchers—must work together," she said.

Farida Akhtar added that the workshop produced valuable suggestions that would not have emerged in an internal meeting alone. "In the future, we will form a committee including experienced people from different walks of life. If necessary, the committee will meet monthly to decide on improvement measures for the zoo."

She further noted that conservation efforts should not be confined within zoo premises. Authorities should consider whether certain species can be relocated to more natural habitats, and whether animals nearing the end of their lives should remain in captivity, or be transferred elsewhere.

Commenting on research, she said animals would not be sent outside for study purposes. "If anyone wishes to conduct research, they must come to the zoo and work within its environment", she added.

The workshop was presided over by Dr Md Abu Sufian, Director General of the Department of Livestock, with Fisheries and Livestock Secretary, Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, attending as special guest.

"Our biggest challenge is that we cannot keep the animals as they should be kept due to a lack of adequate manpower," said the secretary. "We will try to implement the proposals that come out of today's workshop."

The welcome address was delivered by Dr Md Boyzar Rahman, Director (Administration) of the department. The keynote paper was presented by Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder, Director of the Zoo, and discussed by former curator, Dr ABM Shahid Ullah; Dean of the Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dr Md Jahangir Alam; Brigadier Touhidur Rahman; and others.