| Bangladesh National Zoo | |
|---|---|
 Zoo Entrance | |
 | |
| 23°48′46″N90°20′41″E / 23.812674°N 90.3446102°E /23.812674; 90.3446102 | |
| Date opened | 23 June 1974[1] |
| Location | Mirpur,Dhaka,Bangladesh |
| Land area | 186 acres (75 ha)[1] |
| No. of animals | 2150[1] |
| No. of species | 191[1] |
| Annual visitors | 3,000,000[1] |
| Major exhibits | Royal Bengal tiger,estuarine crocodile,impala,emu,Lion,black bear |
Bangladesh National Zoo, (Bengali:বাংলাদেশ জাতীয় চিড়িয়াখানা) is azoo located in theMirpur section ofDhaka, the capital city ofBangladesh. The zoo contains many native and non-native animals and wildlife, and attracts about three million visitors each year. On 5 February 2015, the name was changed from Dhaka Zoo to Bangladesh National Zoo.[2]
Established in 1974, the 186-acre (75 ha) Bangladesh National Zoo is the largest zoo in Bangladesh, and is operated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.[3] The zoo attracts around 10,000 visitors every day with the number increasing during the weekends[4] and holidays. The zoo is also known for its poor conditions for animals and the corruption of its officials.[5]
The yearly budget of Bangladesh National Zoo is Tk 37.5 million, out of which Tk 25 million is spent on feeding the animals.
On 26 December 1950, the agricultural, cooperation and aid ministry officially declared to establish a zoo in Dhaka. Hence, the zoo started at that time atSegunbagicha, near theHigh Court of Dhaka with several spotted deer, peacocks, monkey and elephant.[6] The zoo later relocated to the present Eidgah Maidan, featuring a larger collection of animals.[7] Later in 1961 a board was created to ensure proper management of the zoo. Later, after acquiring animals from internal and from foreign countries, the zoo inaugurated at its present location on 23 June 1974.[8]
As of 2024, the zoo is home to 2,150 animals from 191 species.[9][1]
The zoo exhibits 58 species of mammals, includingelephants,cheetahs,rhinos,zebras,waterbucks,otters,hyenas,deer,giraffes,impala,black bears,tapirs,hippos,lions, many species ofmonkeys,chimpanzees,baboons, andBengal tigers.[10]
The aviaries at the zoo house more than 1500 birds representing 91 species, includingpeacocks,rhea,African gray parrots,cassowary,owls,ostrich,emus,teals,finches,babblers,owls,vultures, andeagles. The two lakes at the zoo also host migratory water birds each winter.[10]
Visitors can also see 13 species of reptiles includingsnakes andcrocodiles, and 28 species offish.[10]
Elephant-back and horse-back rides are available at the zoo in addition to fishing.[10]
After a number of animal deaths in 2009, the zoo curator and deputy curator were temporarily suspended and a committee was formed to investigate the deaths. Zoo administration claimed that its main problem was the lack of veterinary doctors (it had only one doctor), and that it had already requested additional veterinary staff.[4]
The zoo is noted by international agencies as corrupt, and when twoblack rhinoceros were sent fromSouth Africa toDhaka in 2013,conservation groups in South Africa expressed concerns over of appalling treatment of animals, calling it a "Hell hole."[11]
Media related toBangladesh National Zoo at Wikimedia Commons