HC asks govt to explain animals' death in safari park

The High Court today issued a rule asking the government to explain in four weeks why the negligence of authorities concerned of Gazipur's Bangabandhu Safari Park in ensuring the wellbeing of animals should not be declared Illegal.

The court also ordered the authorities concerned of the government to submit the inquiry reports on the incidents of animals' deaths before it through the attorney general's office as soon as possible, Deputy Attorney General Arobinda Kumar Roy told The Daily Star.

The HC bench of Justice Md Khasruzzaman and Justice Md Mahmud Hassan Talukder issued the rule and order following a writ petition filed as a public interest litigation by Supreme Court lawyer Harun Or Rashid Farid, seeking necessary directives on this issue.

The petitioner told The Daily Star that 11 zebras, a tiger and a lion have reportedly died in Bangabandhu Safari Park between January 2 and February 3 this year due to different reasons, including substandard and toxic feed for the animals.

The ministries of forest and environment and livestock and fisheries have reportedly formed separate committees to conduct inquiry into the incidents of death of animals.

The committees have been directed to submit their probe reports before the HC through the attorney general's office as early as possible, lawyer Farid added.