Death of animals at Gazipur safari park: Questions aplenty, minister has no answer

Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Md Shahab Uddin was flooded with many questions during his visit to Bangabandu Safari Park in Gazipur today but he did not have any answer to those.

The minister was visiting the park today for the first time since 11 zebras, one tiger and a lioness died at the park in the last one month.

He was briefing the reporters after his visit.

As reporters asked the minister why the deaths of animals were hushed up initially, and what steps would be taken to inform people of any future death, the minister said measures will be taken based on the report by the investigation committee formed by the ministry.

He was also asked why the 12 points recommendations placed by a committee in 2020 were not followed, what kind of crisis he saw today in his visit, and how many wildlife are sick currently.

Minister Shahab Uddin, however, could not come up with an answer to any of these queries.

"Investigation committee will work on the queries," he said.

The deaths of 11 zebras, a tiger and lioness at the safari park in the last 33 days, allegedly due to negligence, triggered a nationwide outcry.