Dhaka Zoo authorities are expecting a whole slew of visitors during Eid-ul-Azha vacation.
The zoo is visited by 10,000-15,000 people on an average every day but the number soars up to seven times on the Eid day and remains so for the next four to five days.
On the second day of Eid last year, a record 120,000 people visited the zoo.
Dr Enayet Hossain, curator of the zoo, told the Dhaka Tribune yesterday the zoo authorities want the visitors to have a pleasing visit to the zoo.
“With that in mind, we have taken necessary measures to ensure that the visitors have a pleasant visit in the upcoming Eid,” he said.
A 21-member supervision committee, headed by Estate Officer of the zoo Ashim Kumer Das, was formed while more than 170 staff will not be allowed to go on leave in order to ensure smooth management.
More than 50 security officials, including 20 Ansar members, will be on duty during Eid vacation. RAB and police will be present at the entrance as well as the car parking area.
There will also be security officials at several spots: control room area, lion cages, the area between the bird section and the animal museum, elephant house, animal nutrition area and the hippo area.
Children coming with parents to visit the zoo at this time of the year often go missing, with more than 40 children aged blow five going missing in a single day last year.
Like the previous year, an information cell will remain open to help guardians find the missing children.
“The ticket costs only Tk20 but it is free for children under the age of two as well as disabled people. The visitors will be watching around 1,500 different kinds of animals and birds at the zoo,” Dr Enayet said.
A five-day clean-up programme was conducted throughout the zoo ahead of Eid. The zoo authorities will also provide fresh drinking water for the visitors.
All the shopkeepers inside and outside the zoo have been directed not to harass visitors or sell food items at inflated prices. No hawkers will be allowed inside the zoo.
A visitor recently complained about the availability of toilets inside the zoo. Sources said there are only three toilets for the visitors, a number which is really inadequate in view of how many people are expected to pay a visit to the zoo during Eid vacation.
Dhaka Zoo, which is the largest in the country, was established back in 1974 on 186 acres of land, and is operated by the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.
There are 1,500 animals and birds of 121 species, including elephants, cheetahs, rhinos, zebras, otters, hyenas, deer, giraffes, impala, black bears, tapirs, hippos, lions, monkeys, chimpanzees, baboons, peacocks, rheas, African grey parrots, cassowaries, owls, ostriches, emus, teals, finches, babblers, eagles, vultures, snakes and crocodiles.
The aquarium at the museum has 797 preserved specimens of 23 species of fish.
“At present, there are nine Royal Bengal Tigers, 12 lions (10 Indian and two African), 22 crocodiles, 25 python snakes, 80 cuckoos, four Arabian horses and three elephants in the zoo,” Enayet said.
Other amusement parks ready
Apart from Dhaka Zoo, other amusement parks, both public and private, are ready to welcome thousands of visitors during Eid vacation.
Shishu Park at Shahbagh, National Museum and Lalbagh Fort authorities have taken preparations ahead of Eid.
Shishu Park is one of the cheapest entertainment attractions in the country, with an entry ticket costing only Tk8 and the rides Tk6 each.
Jamuna Future Park at Kuril in the capital is a state-of-the-art amusement facility. The entry fee is Tk50 and the package, which gives a visitor access to all rides, costs Tk800.
The entry fee at Shyamoli Shishu Mela is Tk50 while each ride costs Tk20. Tk 20 is the entry fee at Lalbagh Fort.