Zahidul Kabir Sabuj, project director (PD) of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, has been removed from his post following removal of two other park officials on Monday. Chief Forest Conservator Amir Hossain Chowdhury confirmed the matter on Wednesday evening.
Mollah Rezaul Karim, the conservator of forests (wildlife and nature conservation of Dhaka zone), has been given the responsibility of the PD for “Approach Road Widening and Other Infrastructure Development Project (second amendment)” of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, according to a notification issued by the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Ministry on Wednesday.
On January 31, the government withdrew two officials from the safari park with a view to conducting a fair probe into the deaths of 11 zebras and a tiger at the park.
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In-charge of the park and assistant forest conservator Md Tabibur Rahman and veterinary physician Hatem Sajjad Md. Zulkarnain were removed from their posts and attached to the Forest Department.
Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, assistant conservator of forests in Faridpur, and Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, veterinary surgeon of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park of Dulahajra in Cox's Bazar, were given new responsibilities in the safari park.
Earlier on January 30, Gazipur 3 MP Mohammad Iqbal Hossain alleged that the zebras died at the safari park due to negligence in duty by staff members at the part and due to internal strife,
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He made the allegation while visiting the park following the deaths of 11 zebras.
Zahidul Kabir, former project director at the park, also admitted that a tiger had died in the park in January, and that the news was concealed by the management.
On January 26, the ministry formed a five-member committee to probe the deaths of nine zebras at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park.
The probe body was asked to submit its report to the ministry within 10 working days by identifying the real cause behind the deaths of the zebras and with necessary recommendations to prevent the recurrence of such incidents.
