Animal lovers and pet breeders gathered at the campus of Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU) to partake in the 'Pet Birds, Pigeons, Aquarium Fish and Poultry Exhibition-17' yesterday.

Around 300 species of pet birds, 20 species of racer pigeons, 30 species of high flyer pigeons, different types of poultries, aquarium fish, red eared turtles, different species of rabbits and garden trees were showcased in different stalls.

People from all walks of life were drawn to the exhibition.

King, Lahore, Jacobin, Bokhara, Fantail, Pomeranian Pouter and Satin were among some of the various fancy pigeons that were being showcased.

Shakil Md Israt Hossain, an official of Bangladesh Racing Pigeons Fanciers Club, said he had been part of the racing scene for more than eight years. “We regularly arrange pigeon racing. The pigeons that were released today at the inauguration ceremony were mine. They reached my home nine kilometers from here within just six minutes.”

The largest stall of foreign birds in the exhibition was set by Chittagong Bird Breeders Association (CBBA).

Budgerigar, Macaw, Sun Conure, Cockatiel, Goldfinch, different love birds and Finch grabbed the visitors' attention as they were seen taking selfies with the winged creatures.

Enamul Haque Shiblu, a member of CBBA, said the response they had been receiving from the youth in recent years was beyond expectation.

“The love for birds among the youth is endless. Our group is growing bigger than ever,” Enamul said. Another CBBA stall was set up near the entrance to facilitate bird lovers in becoming members of the association.

Delighting the visitors, a budgerigar beauty contest was arranged at a CBBA stall. Judges ranked the birds according to their beauty.

Several pharmaceutical companies also had their own stalls for promoting animal food and medicines.

At Rasifish, a stall for fish hobbyists, different aquarium fish like clown fish, star fish, tetra, yellow stati, Mexican cray fish and Red-eared turtles were displayed.

Chittagong Bagan Paribar brought different plant species like cactus, orchids, bougainvillea, aparajita and bonsai for the exhibition.

At a stall by the students and doctors of CVASU, different rabbit species like Florida White, Dutch and Rex were exhibited.

A new species of maze called 'Hydrophonic Fodder', which can grow on running tap water, was also exhibited at their stall. 

CVASU Vice-Chancellor Goutam Buddha Das said many pet breeders come to visit the exhibition every year. “It has become a good source of income for some young entrepreneurs. The love for birds and animals among the youth is now stronger than we have ever seen,” he said.

This was the third such exhibition taking place at CVASU. The exhibition was jointly organised by the Association of Avian Veterinarian, Chittagong Bird Breeders Association and Chittagong Fancy Pigeon Breeders' Association.