Quarantine problem delays Dhaka Zoo's bid to collect giraffes

The finance ministry also remains reluctant to sanction money for the project.

According to the existing rules, animals brought from abroad have to be kept in quarantine for a month. The contracting firm concerned gets no payment if the animals die during this period.

Zoo sources said the market price of this African animal is about Tk one crore while the transportation cost doubles the actual price. The fisheries and livestock ministry have already sent a letter to the finance ministry seeking a budgetary allocation of Tk 3 crore.

Sources said the finance ministry has agreed on principle but asked for a specific proposal.

But the main problem lies elsewhere. The contracting firm responsible for supplying animals to the zoo has objected to the condition of quarantine in the country.

It said it might have to pay a penalty of Tk 3 crore if the animals hunted from free zones and transported by aircraft fail to adopt the climatic condition of the country. It has refused to take such a risk.

According to the sources, the contracting firm gave an alternative proposal that giraffe would be taken to quarantine for a month in the country of its origin. It also suggests sending four officers to the country by this time.

A zoo official said a fresh proposal for collecting giraffe is now being prepared in response to the suggestions made by the contracting firm. The new proposal will be sent to the finance ministry soon, he added.

If the ministry approves it, Dhaka Zoo might have attractive new giraffes at the beginning of the New Year.