Workshop on animal care begins

A three-day training workshop on "Skill Building in Animal Care and Zoo Management" began at the National Harborium at Mirpur yesterday, says a press release.

Arranged by the Forum for Environmental Journalists of Bangladesh (FEJB) in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) and the UNDP, the workshop is being participated by 30 zoo officials from all the zoos of the country.

MOEF secretary Sabihuddin Ahmed inaugurated the workshop with FEJB Chairman Quamrul Islam Chowdhury in the chair. Dr Ali Reza Khan, Curator of Dubai zoo, Matiur Rahman, director of National Haborium and Shehabuddin Ahmed, a member of the FEJB, addressed the function.

Sabihuddin said the worldwide concept of zoo management has been changing and our zoo keepers must orient themselves with the new ideas of management. He said the government is setting up a Safari Park at Dulahazara in Cox's Bazar in this regard.

He said animal care and zoo management are vital for the keeping of animals. He emphasised on human relations in caring the animals. He pointed out that animals are part of the bio-diversity and they must be protected.

Dr Reza Khan said animal rights are curtailed unless the managers are not careful and conscious about their duties and responsibilities. He pointed out that animals are well respected in all the zoos of the world.

Zoo management as a concept is 150-year old and it is not just keeping the animals caged, it requires proper relationship between the keepers and animals with their rights protected, he added.