The officer in-charge and veterinarian of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur have been removed from their post in order to allow for a truly independent investigation into the deaths of 10 zebras within a short period of time.
As a part of the investigation, Assistant Forest Conservator and Safari Park In-Charge Tabibur Rahman, as well as Veterinary Officer Dr Hatem Sazzad Md Julkarnine were transferred to Forest Department, Dhaka, said a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Monday.
Faridpur’s Social Forest Department Assistant Forest Conservator Md Rafiqul Islam and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park Veterinary Surgeon Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman were appointed in their place.
The notice mentioned that a process was underway to also transfer the park’s Project Director Md Zahidul Kabir.
The 10 zebras died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Parkin the space of a month till Saturday.
Nine of the earlier population of 22 zebras in the park died between January 2 to 24, park authorities disclosed.
On Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change formed a five-member inquiry committee to find out the cause of the zebras' deaths, and identify those responsible.
The committee was asked to submit the investigation report to the ministry within 10 (ten) working days.
The inquiry committee visited the park on Sunday and contacted foreign experts and experienced doctors to prevent more such deaths of zebras.
The committee also talked to South African farm owners from where the zebras were imported.
Symptoms of possible disease and test results have been emailed to them, and a response is expected later this week.
