Have a different day at Sitesh Deb sanctuary
Banyaprani Seba Foundation, a sanctuary set up by famous wildlife conservator Sitesh Ranjan Deb at Rupashpur of Sreemangol upazila in Moulvibazar district, now hosts a number of creatures including those of rare and exotic species.
Upon entrance to the wildlife sanctuary, one will be easily attracted to a herd of hog deer. As one enters his hands inside the cage to cuddle the graceful creatures, they will come near, even lick the visitor's hands with their tongues.
Straight ahead there are geckos. They will try to 'chase' the visitor from inside the cage and throw sputum.
Chirping, loitering and fluttering, beautiful birds of different species will amuse the visitors.
"You will hear some of the birds, especially mynahs, utter Bangla words," said Sitesh, founder of the sanctuary.
There are doves, jungle fowls, greater hornbills, water hens, pigeons, white breasted water hens and a host of other birds.
There are 'fruit eating' golden tortoises that can climb trees.
Another attraction of this sanctuary is flying squirrels. These innocent looking creatures can fly 300 to 400 feet, using their skin that spread like wings.
A rare species white tiger offers an amusing sight to the visitors.
Two bears, kept in the cage next to the white tiger's, often accompany Sitesh or his sons to take a stroll outside. The ferocious jungle animals now behave like domesticated ones and sometimes play with dogs.
A pair of pythons are kept in a corner of the zoo. The female one laid 38 eggs in the sanctuary about six years ago and 40 more eggs in June last year. The young pythons hatched out of the eggs were released to Lauachhara forest.
There are also Himalayan palm civets, long tailed hanumans, porcupines, cobras, and a number of other creatures at the sanctuary.
Set up around 22 years ago, it remains open for the public from 8:00am to evening every day.
Sitesh Ranjan Deb, 66, was once a famous hunter. But he became a changed man in 1991 after surviving an attack by a wild bear and finally set up the sanctuary.
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