Deaths of zebras, tiger: 2 Gazipur safari park officials removed

The authorities of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur today removed two top officials for their negligence in duty over the deaths of 11 zebras and a tiger in the last one month.

They are: Officer-in-Charge of the park and Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Tabibur Rahman, and Veterinary Officer of the park Dr Hatem Sazzad Md Zulkernine.

An administrative order was issued in this regard, Hussain Mohammad Nishad, forest conservator (Finance and Administration), Forest Department, confirmed to The Daily Star.

The officials have been attached to the Department of Forests in Dhaka effectively.

Md Rafiqul Islam, assistant conservator of forests, Faridpur Forest Department, has been appointed in-charge of the safari park in Tabibur's place, while Md Mostafizur Rahman, veterinary surgeon at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Dulahazra of Cox's Bazar will replace Dr Hatem Sazzad.

Steps are also being taken to remove Md Zahidul Kabir, project director of the safari park, in this connection.

The decision to remove the officials over negligence in duty came as per the recommendations of a committee formed by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change to investigate the death of the animals at the park.

The ministry said it will take all necessary steps to prevent such unexpected deaths of animals at the parks.

In January, 11 zebras died, including five from infectious disease and four from fighting among themselves. A tiger died on January 12.

Gazipur-3 constituency lawmaker Md Iqbal Hossain Sabuj, while visiting the park yesterday, told reporters that the park authorities concealed the information of the tiger's death.

Earlier, a probe committee was formed over the deaths of 11 zebras by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Sabuj asked the authorities to remove Project Director Md Zahidul Kabir and Tabibur Rahman from their posts following the probe report.

There are 70 animals, including the zebras, in the park's African Safari, which encompasses over a 60-acre area. Since the park opened, the number of animals in African Safari went up by threefold but the area remained the same, although the area also necessarily needs to be broadened three times, according to park sources.