Two cheetahs were bought from South Africa in August 2019 at the National Zoo in the capital’s Mirpur. At that time, this news was spread by the zoo authorities. One of the two A cheetah has died, another has been lonely for two and a half years . But this news has yet to be officially announced. On the other hand, the surviving Cheetah has not even been provided with a mate these days.
The National Zoo authorities say that they do not voluntarily report the death of any animal to the media. However, the concerned persons feel that for the sake of accountability-transparency, the zoo authorities should officially report the news of animal death.
According to sources, on August 21, 2019, two cheetahs were bought from South Africa at the Mirpur National Zoo. One is female; the other is male.
The National Zoo authorities had hoped that breeding could be done through two cheetahs. But before that, the female Cheetah died on April 11, 2021. According to the National Zoo Authority, the Cheetah died of hepatitis.
The current director of the National Zoo is Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder. The leopard died before he became director here.
Rafiqul Islam Talukdar told Prothom Alo that zoo authorities do not voluntarily inform anyone when an animal dies. But if someone wants to know, he does not hide.
The former professor of the zoology department of Dhaka University informed me about being a member of the advisory board of the National Zoo. Anwarul Islam told Prothom Alo that he did not know about the death of the Cheetah for so long.
Anwarul Islam said Cheetah is essential all over the world. A cheetah can die for any number of reasons. But zoo authorities should inform the public when an animal dies. The zoo authorities must publicly state that the animal died on this day. They tried but could not save the animal. They are expressing grief.
Anwarul Islam also said, ‘It would have been better if that was the case. But since there is no legal or policy decision, zoo authorities do not hold regular briefings. But zoos are run with public money. So people should be informed. It ensures accountability and transparency. People’s involvement with zoos increases.’
Plan to buy Cheetah.
The male Cheetah has been in solitary confinement at the National Zoo since his mate died. According to the National Zoo, the male Cheetah is named Palash. He was born on April 22, 2016.
The cage in which this leopard is kept in the National Zoo has two parts. A small house with a partly brick wall. If it rains, the Cheetah can stay there. However, visitors cannot see the Cheetah if it is there.
Another part of the cage is fenced with a net. This section has open space, grass, and trees. Visitors can see the Cheetah when they come there.
Last Saturday afternoon, this reporter went in front of the cheetah cage at the National Zoo and stayed for an hour but did not see Palash because the Cheetah did not come out of the small walled room then.
Tarek Aziz visited the National Zoo with his nephew from the Farmgate area of ​​the capital. He told Prothom Alo, “It feels a little bad if you can’t see a cheetah even if it’s in the zoo.”
Other visitors to the National Zoo at the same time were also disappointed not to see the Cheetah. Some visitors suspected that the Cheetah might be trapped because the tiny house door was ajar.
However, the National Zoo authorities said last Saturday that the Cheetah was not detained. The Cheetah is staying in the small room by itself. They also claim that the leopard is healthy.
Director of National Zoo Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder said that efforts are being made to overcome the loneliness of the male leopard. He told Prothom Alo that no animals could be bought in the last financial year (2022-23). Those who supply the animals could not be purchased as they could not open LCs (letters of credit). However, there will be attempts to buy animals in the current financial year. Cheetahs are on the list of animals to buy. This time, there will be an attempt to buy two to three cheetahs.
Urge to introduce native animals.
According to zoologists, Cheetahs and leopards are not the same. There were once many leopards in the country. It is believed that there may still be some leopards in the hilly areas. But there was never a cheetah in the country. There was once a cheetah in India. Now, an initiative has been taken to propagate Cheetah in the country. Apart from this, cheetahs are found in various countries in Asia, Europe, and African countries.
The Cheetah is the fastest animal in the world. The body of the Cheetah is slender. The head is small and round.
