Red tape grips zoo

The lone lioness at Chittagong zoo gave birth to three cubs on February 16.. PHOTO: STAR

And, the aim for increasing the stock of animals for the zoo became uncertain due to bureaucratic tangles at the higher authorities.

Sources at the Chittagong Zoo said the Dhaka Zoo authorities took the initiative to send two tigers and two hippopotamuses for the Chittagong Zoo a year back.

But it needs a process through the ministry concerned which is yet to be started, sources added.

"We are making efforts to procure those animals as we want to develop this zoo to attract more visitors," said Shahjahan Chowdhury, a member of the committee running the Chittagong Zoo.

"We hope that we will get those tigers and hippopotamuses after completion of due formalities in the ministry and then we will expect more visitors here," he said. "The zoo has reached the present stage due to the initiatives taken by some city elite," he added.

Magistrate Quamrul Hasan, in-charge of Chittagong Zoo, on behalf of local administration said "So far I know process is underway to provide two tigers and two hippopotamuses to Chittagong Zoo from Dhaka Zoo".

"We are keeping contact with the concerned bodies to expedite the process in this connection," Quamrul Hasan said. "I think we will get the same shortly," he added.

He said, "We are ready to develop infrastructural facilities inside the zoo to accommodate the hippopotamus with comfort". "We want to have more animals for the zoo to make it attractive," he added.

Chittagong Zoo had two tigers, unfortunately one of them died from cancer.

However, it would be very difficult to maintain hippopotamus at Chittagong Zoo if the authorities fail to provide facilities for such animal. "Chittagong Zoo must raise facilities before procuring more animals like hippopotamus," a zoo source on condition of anonymity said.

Chittagong Zoo was set up in 1989 on a land of three acres owned by the government.

The number of visitors has increased during the winter season this year. On an average over 2,000 visitors turn up daily that help earn revenues of about Tk 10,000 (ten thousand), zoo sources said.

Moreover, Chittagong Zoo has an advantage of attracting visitors who arrive at Foy's Lake to enjoy the scenic beauty, sources said.