17 wild animals transferred from Rangamati Mini Zoo to Dulahazara Safari Park
The animals include one bear, five jungle fowls, four monkeys, one deer, four turtles, and two porcupines
The Wildlife Crime Control Unit of the Forest Department today (3 February) transferred 17 wild animals from Rangamati Mini Zoo to Dulahazara Safari Park in Cox's Bazar, where they will receive proper care.
After nearly two decades of neglect, the Rangamati Mini Zoo has finally been cleared of its remaining wild animals.
The transfer took place following a request from the Rangamati Hill District Council, which had been struggling to maintain the facility due to a lack of resources and expertise.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
Though the council initially reported that 19 animals were housed in the mini zoo, the Forest Department was only able to recover 17.
The animals include one bear, five jungle fowls, four monkeys, one deer, four turtles, and two porcupines.
Dr Hatem Sajjad Md Julkarnain, a veterinary surgeon from the Forest Department, said that the animals kept in the mini zoo were local wild animals. "The Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012 does not allow housing these animals. Moreover, the condition and care of the zoo were unfavourable for rearing these types of animals. Therefore, the animals have been recovered from the zoo and are being taken to Dulahazara Safari Park," he added.
A zoo in decline
The Rangamati Mini Zoo was officially approved on 4 August 2008 but animals were reportedly brought in even before receiving government clearance. Over the years, due to disease, food shortages, and improper care, several animals perished. Since the zoo was not a revenue-generating project, the Hill District Council paid little attention to its upkeep.
Recognising its inability to manage the zoo, Hill District Council Chairman Kajol Talukder formally requested the Forest Department to take over the animals in a letter dated January 7, 2025. In the letter, he acknowledged that the lack of experienced staff had made it impossible to properly care for the animals, leading to the decision to hand them over.
The mini zoo was located at Sukhineelganj, a quiet, nature-rich area on the outskirts of Rangamati town. While the location was ideal for a wildlife sanctuary, the authorities' negligence turned it into a failing initiative. Locals expressed disappointment that wild animals were captured only to be confined in iron cages without proper care, leading to many deaths.
Health status of the animals
According to Dr Hatem Sajjad Md Julkarnain, the bear is in good health. However, he noted some skin issues in the deer and monkeys.
"These animals will be closely monitored at the safari park. If necessary, they will undergo treatment before being released into the wild," he added.
Regarding the bear's mental health, Dr Julkarnain said that long-term isolation could have psychological effects on the animal. "If a bear is raised from a young age in human surroundings, it may experience less stress. However, if a wild animal is separated from its natural environment later in life, it can suffer severe mental strain," he said.
With the Rangamati Mini Zoo now empty, the future of the facility remains uncertain. Wildlife experts emphasised that such initiatives must be properly managed to ensure animal welfare and prevent unnecessary suffering. For now, the animals will begin their rehabilitation process at Dulahazara Safari Park with the hope that they will soon return to their natural habitat.
