National Zoo to get more animals, birds following state minister’s surprise visit

Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku has directed authorities to increase the number of animals and birds at the National Zoo in Mirpur, aiming to enhance its appeal to visitors.

The directive came during a surprise visit to the facility on Friday, where the state minister appeared unannounced to assess the ground reality of the country’s largest zoological park, according to a government media statement.

He stayed at the zoo for two hours, inspecting cages and the veterinary medical centre.

Tuku emphasised that the current population of "inmates" needs to be bolstered.

He instructed officials to draft plans for bringing in new species to ensure a more vibrant and educational experience for the public.

"The zoo is a high-potential project, and with the right additions to the animal population and better management, it can become a truly world-class, visitor-friendly institution."

Tuku began his tour at the animal nutrition section.

He personally verified the quality and quantity of the feed and held detailed discussions with staff regarding health management and medicine storage protocols.

The state minister issued an order to recover approximately 2.83 hectares of zoo land that is currently under illegal occupation.

He noted that the recovered land and existing infrastructure must undergo "visible development" within the current budget cycle, the media statement said.

Tuku also ordered the expansion of visitor seating, the construction of more public toilets, and the immediate repair of internal roads to handle the expected increase in footfall.

"I came here without any prior notice to see the actual state of affairs," Tuku said.

While the food supply for the animals was satisfactory, the overall environment required a significant upgrade to meet public expectations, he said.

Zoo Director Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder and Curator Md Atiqur Rahman were present during the minister’s visit.