Two-year-old Saif Hasan, who lost his hand after a spotted hyena attacked him at the Bangladesh National Zoo in Mirpur, is now crying in pain at the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (Nitor).
An only child, Saif was repeatedly screaming in fear and panic on Friday.
His parents and relatives were next to his bed. With teary eyes, his mother tried hard to comfort him but could not stop him from crying.
Seven members of his family went to visit the zoo in the afternoon on Thursday. The boy was on his mother's lap. At one point, she put him down while walking around the cage. Suddenly, they heard Saif screaming.
His right hand accidentally went into the cage of hyenas, and one of them bit off his right hand.
Afterwards, the zoo staff rushed him to the hospital for treatment.
Doctors later operated on him and gave vaccinated him against any infection.
Separate investigation panels were formed by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock and the directorate concerned to look into the incident and to see to the child's treatment.
On Friday afternoon, Saif's father, Md Sumon Mia, a garment worker, was seen running restlessly in the hospital.
Sometimes, he was going to the doctor, sometimes to his boy's bedside with quick steps.
Sumon burst into tears while recounting what had happened to his only child.
He said that six months ago, he started living with his family in the Jirani area of Savar after moving from Gazipur. Along with relatives from his wife's side of the family, he and his wife went to the zoo with Saif. Saif got off his mother's lap near the hyena cage at the zoo around noon.
“I was sitting on a bench nearby. He suddenly walked in front of the hyena cage. Then within 10 seconds, the hyena in the cage sank its teeth into his hand. We all tried hard but could not get him away from the hyena's mouth. At one stage, his right wrist was severed,” said Md Sumon.
Bangladesh National Zoo Director Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukdar said that an investigation committee was already formed and that it will investigate whether there if anyone's negligence caused the incident.
“I will also look at the issue of security. We will bear all the medical expenses of the child until he returns home after a full recovery. We will also appoint someone at the hospital to monitor his condition all the time.”
Prof Dr Ahmed Kamruzzaman Majumder, joint secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (Bapa), said that keeping animals confined in zoos is also a kind of inhuman act.
“However, there are different opinions about it worldwide. Some are for it, some are against it. People will learn and know about animals by watching them in the zoo. Zoos are needed for education and research. However, it is the responsibility of the zoo authorities to ensure the security of the visitors. Just as the safety of the animals is essential, the visitors must also be properly protected,” said the environmentalist.
Regarding Thursday's accident, he said that the zoo authorities failed to provide security for visitors. Such incidents have happened before. They need to be more aware so that this does not happen again in the future.
“A review is needed in this regard. A permanent solution should be arrived at through a proper investigation so that such a tragic incident does not happen again.”
Kamruzzaman also said that those who go to the zoo should also be aware of their surroundings. Animals should not be mistreated.
Officials should also arrange awareness messages when people enter the zoo. Announcements should be made at each location. There should be constant awareness about what can or cannot be done at the zoo, he added.