Thousands of visitors flocked to the Bangladesh National Zoo in Dhaka on Tuesday as families sought entertainment during the Eid holidays.
By 11am, the roads outside the zoo were packed with eager visitors forming long queues at the ticket counters and entrance gates, reports Bangla Tribune.
According to the zoo director, more than 125,000 people had entered by midday, with expectations that the number could surpass 200,000 by the end of the day.
Heavy traffic congestion was reported in surrounding areas as visitors arrived by rickshaw, bus and motorbike, forcing many to walk to the zoo.
Inside, the festive atmosphere was evident as people of all ages, from children to the elderly, explored the grounds.
Parents were seen introducing young children to various animals, while others strolled through the greenery or relaxed on benches.
The monkey enclosure remained a popular first stop, with visitors studying the zoo map before exploring further.
Children were particularly excited, spending long moments in front of animal enclosures, calling out to the creatures in hopes of getting their attention.
A key highlight this year was the introduction of three zebra foals and two 11-month-old Bengal tiger cubs, “Shapla” and “Padma,” which drew large crowds.
Many visitors had travelled from nearby areas such as Savar and Gazipur, while others had taken the opportunity to visit while staying with relatives in Dhaka. Some were repeat visitors, reminiscing about past zoo trips.
Md Bashir Mia, who came from Uttara with his relatives and young son, said: “I was not expecting such a huge crowd, but seeing the tigers, bears, lions and elephants made it worthwhile.”
Imran Hossain, who visited with his six family members from Khilgaon, shared his experience saying: “Since we stayed in Dhaka for Eid, we decided to come here. The last time I visited, the crowd was smaller.
“But my kids are thrilled. They screamed in excitement seeing the tigers because they had only seen them in books and on TV before.”
Monir Hossain, a resident of Lalkuthi, said Dhaka did not have many large recreational spots for families, so the zoo remained one of the few places to visit.
His daughter had been ecstatic seeing the animals up close, he added.
Ahead of Eid, the zoo underwent extensive cleaning and beautification efforts, with trees painted at the base and new direction and safety signs installed.
However, following last year’s tragic death of a teenager during an elephant show, no animal performances were scheduled this year.
National Zoo Director Dr Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder said: “Security remains our top priority, with police and security personnel actively monitoring the situation.”
