Rajshahi University: Zoology dept museum displays living and stuffed animals

Peaceful coexistence with wild animals like tiger, lion, deer, crocodile, python, peafowl and different types of sea turtles may seem impossible when you first hear it. But, once you enter the museum of the zoology department at Rajshahi University (RU), you will stare incredulously at the pack of these animals around you!

More than 450 species around the globe are now on display at the museum. Visitors would be greeted by the sight of a colourful peafowl at the door. It is not really possible to learn about these animals without some practical experience.

The Zoic Museum at RU has been a beacon of hope when it comes to such practical education. It also displays stuffed animals and skeletons.

As many as 1,500 specimens and 490 species of animals are showcased in its galleries. The museum has been named after Professor Mustafijur Rahman, a former teacher of the zoology department, who founded it in 1972.

Sirajul Islam, a third-year student in the Zoology department, said that the Rajshahi University museum is the first one in Bangladesh which is enriched with animals. The museum of Bangladesh Agricultural University is the second.

"Many more have been added since we joined and will continue to do so. When we went to St. Martin's, there was a marine museum of biodiversity. It was even richer than ours. There are many rare collections: crocodiles, human embryos, many collections of birds, monkeys, turtles, and even goat mummies."

Md Shariar Mahmud Soykot, a second-year student of the geology and mining department, said, "Zoology is my related subject. For this, I visit this museum sometimes with my friends for my studies. Besides, I love to see sea turtles at the museum."

Dr Anjuman Ara Ali, deputy curator of the museum, said the museum preserves 6 Porifera, 2 Cyclostomata, 188 Cnidaria, 8 Platyhelminthes, 20 Osteichthyes, 19 Amphibia, 2 Nematoda, 8 Annelida, 49 Reptilia, 2 Creustacen, 40 Aves, 29 Unitramig, 32 Mammals, 39 Mollusca, 13 Echinodermata, 113 Invertebrate and 368 Vetebrate.

She also said that the museum is being modernised at a cost of Tk 40 lakh.

"But many zoologists and researchers do not know about this museum. This is also unknown to most students at RU," she added.

Dr Md Mahbub Hasan, chairman of the Zoology Department, said, "We have several fossil animals, including gharials here. Besides, we have an MoU with the Wildlife Department of Rajshahi Division. They inform us of any new animal information and we collect it and store it in our museum. When asked about the right of entry, he said students from other departments and common people can enter here with permission."

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