Did you know you could buy a pair of deer for Tk 1.4 lakh?
The National Zoo authorities have earned Tk 32.9 lakh by selling 47 deer this year, the same as the last five years' total.
The zoo still has a surplus of deer, currently hosting at least 100 more than capacity.
The zoo sells each pair of peacock for Tk 50,000 while each pair of deer goes at Tk 1,40,000.
Md Osman Gani, head of the national zoo's large animals section, said anyone who has obtained certificates or licences from the forest department can purchase deer from them.
"They are issued a licence if the inspection team of the forest department thinks they are capable of taking care of a deer. Post-purchase, they have to pay taxes and update the department about the animal every year," he added.
Though the zoo used to sell peacocks in the past, they haven't sold any this year. From 2017 to 2020, they sold a total of 54 peacocks and earned Tk 13.5 lakh.
Dr Md Waliur Rahman, head of the bird section at National Zoo, said, "Even though peacocks are in great demand, it's not a business for us. We only sell once we have more than our capacity," he said.
"Currently, we have 130 peachicks (aged 1-2 months) and 20-30 eggs in the incubator. We could start selling those from September," said zoo director Dr Abdul Latif.
Asked, the director said most peacocks have been sold to mini-zoos or heritage sites of various government departments across the country, including Uttara Gano Bhaban in Natore, Air Forces Museum, and the mini zoo of Border Guard Bangladesh.
On the other hand, deer are usually bought by mini zoos, private enterprises, or small farms.
Former MP Abdul Wadud, general secretary of Awami League's Chapainawabganj district, bought a pair of deer from the zoo a month ago.
"We have a park in my area where we keep them," he said. "We are trying to make the place more attractive for visitors. We have several ducks and peacocks too," he added.
Mohammad Wahiduzzaman, principal of Hossainpur Government College in Kishoreganj, bought two peacocks from the zoo last year. They gave birth to 25 peachicks this year, he said.
"I gifted some to people and now I have 12," he said.
Khalilur Rahman, who works in the registrar's office in Narayanganj's Rupganj, bought a pair of deer last July. He kept them in his courtyard under a shed. "I bought those out of my interests; I don't have any other purpose," he said.
Meanwhile, zoologists are worried that such sales to general people can have negative impact on the wildlife.
Prof M Monirul H. Khan, Chairman of Zoology department at Jahangirnagar University, told The Daily Star, "If wildlife is sold to the public, it is difficult to ensure proper breeding and welfare of the animals. We have protested the sales on many occasions, but nobody has taken them into consideration."
"It's a contradiction to our wildlife conservation act," he added.
Wishing anonymity, a Dhaka University professor of zoology said the zoo authorities have no right to sell wildlife to the public. If they have a surplus, they can exchange the animals with other zoos at home and abroad, he added.
"Besides, there is no monitoring of the wildlife being sold. The authorities are supposed to maintain a logbook which is updated from time to time. When a cub is born, it's health should be monitored properly. Who is doing this monitoring?" he said.
Contacted, Md Sayedur Rahman, deputy conservator (Forests, Wildlife Management & Nature Conservation Circle, Dhaka) said only those who have the capability and space to take care of the animals get permission from them.
"After receiving the application, we inspect it and if all is okay, then we give them permission to purchase an animal. There is no political or any other issue involved here," he added.
Due to the baby boom, zoo director Abdul Latif said not just deer and peacock, but the number of emu, herons, hippopotamus, zebra, pythons, and other animals are also exceeding their capacity. As the zoo doesn't have permission to sell them, they are trying to strike exchange deals with other zoos, home or abroad.
Comments