Status of Zoos in Bangladesh and their Potentialities for the Conservation of Biodiversity

Abstract

Bangladesh is one of the biodiversity rich countries in the world. However, the biodiversity is declining day by day due to many reasons like human population growth, habitat destruction, pollutions, agriculture, global warming, forest fragmentation etc. For these reasons wild life comes out to the locality often and caught and killed by the local people. Bangladesh homes to roughly 116 species of mammals, 380 species of birds, 139 species of reptiles, 53 species of amphibians, 19 species of marine reptiles and 5 species of marine mammals. In addition to the large bird count, a further 310 species of migratory birds swell bird numbers each year. IUCN-Bangladesh 2006, have been identified some species as threatened. Of the known vertebrates, 13 have already become extinct from the Bangladesh territory. Of the inland fish species 54 are threatened. The number of threatened amphibians, inland reptiles, resident birds and inland mammals are 8, 58, 41, and 40 respectively. In this situation Zoos and Safari Park can play a vital role for the conservation of biodiversity. Captive breeding and ex-situ conservation are the best methods of maximizing chance of survival of a species by relocating part of the population to a less threatened location. As a sound and safe place, a number of animals can be nurtured in zoos and can be reintroduced into the wilderness. With that, by displaying animals in stimulated natural environment and through public education, visitors have a better appreciation for wildlife and conservation issues. With the overcome of some obstacles and by providing animal friendly environment Dhaka Zoo, Rajshahi zoo, Rangpur Zoo and Dulahazra safari park has the potentiality to conserve biodiversity. Additionally, zoos and safari park afford an opportunity for researchers to make further researches, particularly about the conditions in which diverse species will flourish.