DHAKA, Jan 31, 2022 (BSS) - The government has withdrawn two

officials of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park with a view to
conducting a fair probe into the deaths of zebras at the park located
in Sreepur, Gazipur.

   The officer-in-charge of the safari park, assistant forest
conservator Tabibur Rahman, and veterinary officer Dr Hatem Sajjad Md
Zulkarnain were withdrawn today and attached to the Forest Department,
said a press release of the Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Ministry.

   Mohammad Rafiqul Islam, assistant conservator of forests, Faridpur;
and Mohammad Mustafizur Rahman, veterinary surgeon, Bangabandhu Sheikh
Mujib Safari Park, Dulahajra, Cox's Bazar; have been given new
responsibilities in the Sreepur safari park.

   A process continues to withdraw the project director of the safari
park Md Zahidul Kabir, the release said.

   On Jan 26, 2022, the ministry formed a five-member committee to
probe the deaths of nine zebras at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari
Park in Gazipur.

   The committee members are: Additional Secretary of the ministry
Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik (convener), deputy secretary Mohammad Abdul Wadud
Chowdhury (member-secretary), Professor and head of the Department of
Zoology at Jahangirnagar University Dr Mohammad Monirul Hasan Khan,
Conservator of Forest Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, Dhaka,
and former chief veterinary officer of Central Veterinary Hospital Dr
ABM Shahidullah.

   The probe body has been 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 recurrence
of such incidents.