Ctg zoo sees baby boom

With no visitors interfering, the animals of Chattogram zoo have spent a blissful summer this year, thanks to the pandemic. At least 50 offspring of different animals were born at the zoo in the past two months, which includes tiger cubs, deer fawns, and peacocks.

The zoo authorities said the birth rate has increased due to chaos-free tranquil environment for a long period due to the closure of the zoo.

On the other hand, the zoo also got a renovation with infrastructural development and tree plantation during the pandemic period.

One tiger cub, four deer fawns, four peacocks, ten parakeets, two monkeys, seven Indonesian chickens, and twenty doves of various species were born at the zoo.

The authorities are also waiting to welcome more baby animals -- zebra, horse, deer and cuckoo -- soon.

While visiting the zoo on Wednesday, the newborn offspring were seen busy playing with their parents. There are very few visitors at the zoo since its reopening amid the pandemic on Sunday.

Abul Hossain of Muradpur area visited with his two daughters. He told The Daily Star, "I came here before the pandemic but I did not see such a beautiful environment. Now almost every cage is full of animals and birds."

Zoo physician and deputy curator Dr Md Shahadat Hossain said, "The habit of animals has changed during the lockdown. In absence of visitors, these animals found a favourable environment for breeding."

He said before the pandemic, 2,000 people visited the zoo on average per day but now there are around 500 visitors a day. If the situation is normal, the number of visitors will increase, he added.

Tisha Bhattacharjya, founder of Society of Rise for Paws & Claws, said, "The zoo should limit the number of visitors it allows as several animals are still in the process of delivery or carrying their babies. A crowded environment may cause problems for them."

"Those animals are accustomed to breeding in the forest in their favorable environment. At this time, they like to avoid people or noise. The zoo authorities should keep these animals in separate places during birth period," she added.

Contacted, the zoo's member secretary and Hathazari Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Ruhul Amin said, "These animals have become accustomed to seeing visitors at the zoo. Even then, it is being ensured that no visitors disturb them during birth period."

He said they are increasing the budget to fulfil the additional demand of food for newborn members of the zoo.

Chattogram zoo, set up on February 28, 1989, is located in six acres of hilly terrain in the city's Foy's Lake area. The zoo now hosts 620 animals and birds of 66 species.