They were released in the African Safari one of the four special encircles inside the only Safari park in the country.

The new guests arrived here by a cargo flight from Africa with the help of Falcon Traders, sources said.

Safari Park Project Director Dr Tapan Kumar Dey, who released the animals in the park, said the zebras and wildebeests, also available at the Zoo in Dhaka, are mainly seen in Savannah and bare forests of the countries located in the eastern part of Africa.

These animals live on grass and move in herds in places near the water-bodies, said Dr Tapan.

They have an average lifespan of 25 to 30 years and give birth to a calf every year, he added.

So far a total of 119 animals and birds of different species, out of the 157 animals rescued by the Department of Forest with the help of joint forces from different areas of the country in the last two months, were released in Dulahazra Safari Park.

Meanwhile, sources said, the park authorities achieved some success in reproduction process of birds and animals of rare species they have in the park.

A good number of animals like crocodile, tortoise, shamber deer, hog-deer, garal, black bear, hippopotamus and rare species of birds gave birth to their offspring in the park.

The authorities also claimed to have continued the programme of releasing the reproduced animals and birds of the park to different forests in the country.

But, with the arrival of a huge number of new guests, particularly those rescued from different areas of the country, the park authorities now lack sufficient fund required to feed them, said the sources.

The park authorities already informed the ministry concerned for environment and forest of the matter through the Chief Conservator of Forest (CCF) and called for necessary steps in this regard, added the sources.