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 recently.
As a part of the investigation, Tabibur Rahman, Assistant Forest Conservator and in-charge of the Safari Park, 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
Md Rafiqul Islam, Assistant Forest Conservator of Social Forest Department, Faridpur and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Veterinary Surgeon of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Dulahazra, Cox’s Bazar were appointed in their place.
The notice mentioned that a process is underway to also transfer Md Zahidul Kabir, project director of the park. 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, experienced doctors to prevent 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 now expected later this week.