27 birds released from Rajshahi zoo

Rajshahi City Corporation has started releasing birds from its botanical garden and zoo for their proper conservation.

Initially, the city Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton released seven black kites (Bhubon Chil), and 20 Black-crowned Night Herons (Nishi Bok) at a function held in the zoo on Wednesday.

At least 200 more birds of Shaheed AHM Kamruzzaman Central Park & Zoo will be released in nature within the next week if the weather is good, the mayor said.

The mayor said the zoo has around 400 birds of 23 species, some of who are decreasing in number in nature.

The zoo had a total of eight black kites – all of who were either rescued after being captured, or donated by individuals over the years, said the zoo’s veterinary surgeon Farhad Uddin.

He explained that black kites are habituated to fly at a certain height, and they could not breed in captivity at the zoo.

“Considering the situation, we decided to release them and help them breed in nature,” he said, adding that they kept one black kite as it is ill.

He said three species of herons have bred abundantly in the zoo.

They would release most of the herons, keeping a few for further breeding, he said.