Gazipur Safari Park: Elephant deaths revive negligence concerns

Two elephants have died within two days at Gazipur Safari Park, renewing concerns over a steady decline in the animal population at the facility.

Raju Bahadur died on August 7 after nearly two and a half months of treatment. He had suffered severe injuries when knocked down by another elephant inside the enclosure. Despite care from both local and foreign veterinarians, he could not be saved, said Tarek Rahman, acting officer in charge of the park.

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A day earlier, another elephant died after a prolonged illness caused by bacterial infection, he added.

Their deaths leave the park with eight elephants.

The incident has reignited worries about the park’s management, already under scrutiny for repeated losses.

Records show a lion, a wildebeest, and three kangaroos died in 2021. In January 2022, 11 zebras and a tiger perished, followed by a lioness on February 3 of the same year.

Following the deaths, an investigation committee was formed, and three senior officials were removed from their posts to facilitate the investigation.

The committee was tasked with determining the actual causes of the zebras’ deaths, identifying any negligence on the part of the officers and employees on duty at the Safari Park, and making necessary recommendations to prevent such incidents from recurring. The investigation report was completed within the stipulated 20 working days.

The investigation report said that while bacterial infections and fighting among the zebras were the main causes of their deaths, negligence by the park authorities and the failure to provide timely and proper treatment also contributed to the fatalities.

Asked about the earlier probe, Tarek Rahman said, “I have no records regarding the investigation committee formed into the deaths of animals in 2022. Therefore, I cannot comment.”

The park’s giraffe population has also vanished. Twelve giraffes were imported from South Africa in 2013, and four calves were later born. But none survived. Between 2018 and 2022, nine giraffes died of illness. The last three females died between 2023 and 2025.

Today, the park has no giraffes, kangaroos, blesboks or oryxes.

Security breaches at the park have compounded the decline.

On November 22, 2024, thieves stole two Green‑winged Macaws worth Tk 8 lakh. On March 23, 2025, three lemurs were stolen. One was later recovered.

On January 16 the same year, a nilgai escaped after jumping over a boundary wall. Another nilgai had escaped similarly in 2021.

Despite these setbacks, the park, located on around 3,690 acres in the Bhawal Sal Forest under Sreepur upazila continues to draw visitors, particularly during holidays.

Visitors tour the safari zone by bus, seeing tigers, lions, zebras, bears, gaur and deer. The aviary, home to macaws, cockatoos and parrots, is a popular attraction.

Authorities say Safari Kingdom offers additional attractions, including an aquarium, 9D cinema, butterfly corner, museum, hanging bridge and exhibits featuring crocodiles, gharials, pythons, turtles, emus, ostriches, vultures, elephants and hippopotamuses.

However, many visitors leave disappointed due to poor management, the closure of important facilities, a decline in animal numbers, and limited visitor services.

Himadri Biswas, a visitor from Chattogram, said, “We travelled a long distance, but we did not find what we expected to see. It was quite disappointing.”

Nazma Sultana, another visitor, said, “Compared to previous years, the beauty of the park has declined significantly.”

A visit found that several facilities, including the Nature Interpretation Centre, two observation towers, paddle boats, Egg World and the Elephant Show Gallery, remain closed. There is also no souvenir shop, guide service or police camp inside the park.

Meanwhile, wildlife hospital veterinary officer Dr Hatem Sazzat Md Julkar Nain said water leakage has rendered the hospital’s operation theatre unusable and a shortage of skilled manpower has left its laboratory on the verge of closure.

Assistant Conservator of Forests Tarek Rahman said, “We are trying to ensure all government-provided facilities for visitors. However, the children’s park remains closed, and we have not yet been able to reopen the Tiger and Lion restaurants and several other facilities.”

He said repairs to structures damaged during vandalism following the events of August 5 remain unfinished and renovation work will proceed once funding is approved.

According to Tarek, the park received 358,127 visitors during fiscal year 2024-25, while the number reached 386,739 by May in fiscal year 2025-26.