Workers at safari park ripped open zebra carcasses to bury cause of death: Probe report
To conceal the actual reason behind the death of zebras, employees of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur ripped open the bellies of three zebra carcasses with sharp instruments and claimed that the animals were killed due to injuries, the probe committee report suggested.
The probe committee formed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change revealed their findings at a ministerial meeting today and requested the ministry to further investigate the matter, said a press release.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The meeting, with Environment Minister Md Shahab Uddin in the chair, also decided to file departmental cases against those officials who were responsible for the death of zebras and other animals.
The investigating committee also found negligence in part of Gazipur safari park in-charge, as he did not form any medical board during the death spree of animals last month although he was empowered to do so.
The probe committee report made a total 24 recommendations in the report to facilitate the smooth operation of the safari park, which the ministry decided to implement in phases.
The ministry decided to investigate the matter further and lodge criminal cases against those involved with the crime, said the release.
The ministry made the decision following the recommendation in the report submitted by the five-member probe committee formed to find out the reason behind the deaths of zebras at the Safari Park.
Environment, Forest, and Climate Change Secretary Mostafa Kamal, additional secretary (administration) Iqbal Abdullah Harun and additional secretary (climate change) Md Mizanul Haque Chowdhury, among others, were present at the meeting.
Eleven zebras, one tiger, and one lioness died from January 2 to February 3, which the park authority tried to hush up.
When the incidents came to light, the environment, forest, and climate change ministry formed an investigation committee to unearth the causes behind the death of the animals, and removed three officials of the safari park.
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