Death Of Park Animals

Park animal’s mysterious death
Causes little concern and wrath.
Cruel treatment to wild creature
Seldom hints we are kind in nature.

In recent weeks, there were reports of several deaths of animals in different parks across Bangladesh. In some ccases authorities hid true number of death to the press. The news of death caused embarrassment for the government, prompting in-site inspection of concerned ministry. In addition, several committees are formed to probe the deaths.

At the heart of the debate is Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur. According to a news report, between January 02 and January 30, 11 zebras died mysteriously. In addition, 1 tiger and 1 lion died there^1.

Probe report divulged that 3 zebras succumbed to injuries and the rest died of pneumonia. The cause of pneumonia was due to poisoning that broke their resistance to infectious diseases. The tiger died of anthrax. Two tiger cubs died of diseases spread by fly². This underscores the level of caring these animals were receiving all these years.

Later it was revealed that in two and half months 8 animals also died mysteriously in Dhaka Zoo but the authority only confirmed death of two tiger cubs. On October 30, a zebra calf died. On November 20 and 21,two tiger cubs died. On November 27,a giraffe calf died. On December 10, an impala calf died. On January 15,another giraffe calf died. On January 25 a lion died and on February 01 a wild beast died. But authority confirmed death of two tiger cubs. Investigation carried out by zoo authority revealed that zebra calf, giraffe calf and wild beast died of bacterial infection. Meanwhile fly-spread disease caused death of tiger cubs and lion fell victim of anthrax³.

Our parks and zoos are undermanned and short of technical expertise. It would be naive to put blame squarely on governance and negligence on death of so many animals. But we see most of the death caused by bacterial infection. The way the animals are fed and the way they live in an enclosed environment demand more sanitary precautions so that they could avoid catching infectious diseases. At the same time, it is premature to find scapegoats among the zoo officials while several investigations are going on.

But when it comes to the litmus test of caring animals,we do not fare well. We are not even kinder towards our fellow creatures and it is not right to assume that we will be kind towards animals.

A news report divulged that 33 elephants were killed in 2021 and 20 of them were electrocuted to death. And most of the electrocution took place in Chattogram and Cox's Bazaar,where an elephant trek straddled along Bangladesh-Myanmar border. Makeshift camp, paddy fields, new structures now occupy part of it and obstructed movement of elephants. On several occasions, professional men set up traps to kill elephants. Just look at the number of elephant culling. In 2020, only 12 elephants lost lives at the hands of men. In 2021, the number jumped to 33⁴. The stat does not present us before the world as a kind race towards animal. In fact, such cruelty is an utter display of our savagery.

In many parts of Africa, many tribes take the umbilical chord of the newborn to a jungle and bury it there so that the baby develops some kind of bonding with mother nature. We have not developed yet any such custom. Moreover, there is lack of incentives for taking care of animals in places where wild animals and humans make frequent encounters.

It is construed from the news reports that at this time of the year most of these animals met unfortunate end. If the parks were connected, then they would better respond to the the infectious diseases and share one’s experience with the others.Veterinary surgeons and park officials would be better prepared in such a coordinated environment. I think we have to link office of chief virologist (if we have any) with the parks. So that his office gets an up-to-the-minute account of any new infections in any part of Bangladesh. Death of park animals should not be taken lightly as we witnessed how virus originated from animals caused havoc across the world in the past. Death of these poor creatures should be the occasion to scale up our preparations against nefarious variants of viruses.

Notes And References:

1 “Pranir Proti Obohela Shobshomoy(Animals Are Seldom Taken Care Of)”,Mansura Hossain and Sadiq Mridha,Daily Prothom Alo(p-16),February 05,2022.

2 “Aghat O Bishkriay Zebrar Mrityu(Zebras Died Of Injury And Poisoning)”, Pradip Sarkar and Sadiq Mridha,Daily Prothom Alo,February 07,2022.

3 “Bagh,Singha Soho Aat Prani'r Mrityu Arai Mashe(Eight Animals Including Tiger And Lion Died In Two And Half Months)”, Iftekhar Mahmud, Daily Prothom Alo,February 11,2022.

4 “Peshadar Lok Diye Hati Hotya(Professionals Employed To Cull Elephants)”,Iftekhar Mahmud,Daily Prothom Alo,November 21,2021.Link here