From animal transport to waste management: BAU professor outlines scientific guidelines for Eid-ul-Azha

 With the holy Eid-ul-Azha fast approaching, Professor Dr. Md. Mahbub Alam of the Department of Medicine at Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), who is also the Director of the Interdisciplinary Institute for Food Security (IIFS) and President of the Veterinary Doctors Association of Bangladesh (VAB), spoke to UNB in an exclusive interview about the importance of a scientific approach to sacrificial animal selection, transportation, slaughter, and post-slaughter waste management.

In the conversation, he stressed the significance of public awareness and safe practices throughout the entire Qurbani process- from animal transport to proper disposal of by-products- to ensure public health, food safety, and environmental sustainability.

UNB: Traditionally, people look at some basic physical traits when selecting animals for Qurbani. From a scientific point of view, what are the key indicators of a healthy animal?

Prof. Mahbub Alam (MA): A healthy animal will generally be alert and active, chew cud regularly, have moist nostrils and muzzle, taut skin, and a fleshy hump. It should show normal behavior such as frequent tail and ear movements, bright eyes, keen responsiveness to the environment, good appetite, and normal urination and defecation. In contrast, a sick animal may appear weak, lethargic, disinterested in food, drooling, have sagging ears, or appear bloated.

UNB: Unscrupulous traders sometimes use steroids or hormones to fatten cattle quickly. How can buyers identify such animals?

MA: Cattle treated with steroids often appear abnormally calm and have difficulty moving. Their thighs may seem unusually fleshy. One key sign is rapid breathing, often accompanied by signs of fatigue and panting. These animals tend to have shiny, swollen skin similar to fluid retention in humans. Pressing a finger on the skin may leave a visible depression. It is best to avoid excessively fat animals with abnormal fat distribution. Local cattle are preferable as imported animals may carry infectious diseases and often arrive exhausted, making health assessments difficult. It is also recommended to buy animals during daylight hours for better inspection.

UNB: Can diseases be diagnosed by observing the animal's skin, eyes, hooves, or overall physical structure?

 

MA: Yes, the body structure and gait may indicate bone or muscular issues. Skin conditions such as fungal infections or allergies can be identified through patchy or scaly areas. For example, small nodular bumps on the skin could point to Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). Abnormally thick or curved hooves might signal internal disorders. Redness or corneal ulcers in the eyes can indicate ocular disease.

UNB: How reliable is age estimation through teeth and horns?

 

MA: The most accurate method is through farm records showing the animal’s date of birth. In the field, however, age is often estimated by examining teeth and horn rings. By one month of age, calves have eight temporary incisor teeth. At one year, the central pair is replaced by permanent teeth. Two permanent pairs emerge by 2.5 years, four by three years, and all eight by 4–5 years. Tooth wear begins around five to six years. Horn rings also help; the first ring forms around 2.5 to 3 years (first calving age), and one ring is added annually. So, four rings suggest the animal is approximately 6.5 years old.

UNB: Overcrowded animal transportation often appears inhumane. Does it affect meat quality?

 

MA: Absolutely. Overcrowding causes severe stress, activating the autonomic nervous system and stimulates neuroendocrine responses which include the release of cortisol, adrenaline and noradrenaline. This results in increased metabolism, heart rate and body temperature leading to the depletion of muscle glycogen resulting in in higher muscle pH resulting in more tender meat. So, stress-free transportation is critical for ensuring meat quality.

UNB: Some farmers feed broiler chicken feed to cattle to increase body weight. Is this safe?

 

MA: This is a dangerous practice. Broiler feed causes water retention under the skin, making cattle appear plump. But during slaughter, the meat often shrinks drastically and weighs less. Since cattle digest food differently than poultry, such feed can damage the kidneys, liver, and lungs-sometimes fatally. High protein and starch in broiler feed generate excessive metabolic heat, raising risks of heatstroke, heart failure, and digestive issues. The nutritional quality of meat also deteriorates. Using species-specific, nutrient-rich feed is essential for safe fattening.

UNB: What penalties exist for violating animal welfare laws during transport?
MA: In Bangladesh, violating animal welfare laws during transport can result in a fine of up to 10000 Taka and up to six months in prison Additionally, a banorkeeping animals could be imposed in somer caties depending on the severity of the cruelty, mprisonment for up to three years is possible along with a fine.

UNB: Diseases like Anthrax, LSD, Brucellosis, and FMD tend to spike during Qurbani season. How can outbreaks be prevented?

MA: Awareness is key. Media and community campaigns must educate farmers, traders, and the public about symptoms, transmission, and prevention. Pre-Qurbani health checks and intensified vaccination drives are crucial. Infected animals must be isolated, treated promptly, or quarantined if needed. Veterinary teams should be active at the field level, and regular training for livestock handlers should be conducted.

UNB: What is the scientific method for skinning sacrificed animals, and why is it important?

MA: Proper skinning is vital as hides are exported and contribute to the national economy. Animals should be laid on clean, flat ground, and blunt knives should be used. Restraints on limbs should be removed quickly post-slaughter to improve blood circulation, which preserves both meat and hide quality. Proper technique also facilitates easier skinning.

UNB: How should Qurbani waste be managed to avoid health and environmental hazards?

MA: Improper waste disposal can severely pollute the environment and spread diseases, especially in densely populated areas. Qurbani sites should be pre-selected, ideally away from residences. Designated slaughter areas enable better waste collection and disposal. Animal waste such as intestines and offal can be turned into high-quality fish or livestock feed, and bones can be processed into fertilizer or pharmaceuticals. Proper waste management protects public health and adds economic value. Community-based slaughtering is also encouraged for better waste control.

UNB: What safety measures should be taken by those involved in slaughtering, skinning, and meat processing?

 

MA: Workers must wear gloves, face masks, and disinfected rubber boots. Before and after the process, they should thoroughly wash exposed body parts with soap and lukewarm water. Sneezing or coughing near the animals, hides, or meat is strictly prohibited. Crowding should be avoided, and physical distancing of at least three feet is advisable among workers during Qurbani-related tasks.