TDS Desk:

An image of a sickly bear with a severed leg sprawling in an enclosure began to circulate on social media a few days ago.

His leg was sprinkled over by turmeric-like substance as if to treat it as a mild infection.

His appearance was far from that of his regal species: now helpless.

A look closer sent shudders down any viewer’s spine.

The bear, which went viral on social media, was found in the mini zoo of Zainul Abedin Park in Mymensingh city on Tuesday (8 April).

A team of the Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU), led by WCCU’s Wildlife and Biodiversity Conservation Officer Rathindra Kumar Biswas, along with local volunteers, jumped to its rescue on the same day.

Speaking to this correspondent, WCCU Director of the Forest Directorate Mohammed Mizanur Rahman said, “During our drive, our team found the bear in a terrible condition. He was not in a state to be shifted immediately. The sick bear is currently under veterinary treatment in Mymensingh, under the responsibility of the owner.

“We will monitor his condition in the meantime. Once healthier, we will translocate him to the Gazipur Safari Park.”

Contacted, Officer Rathindra Kumar Biswas said 48 local species’ animals yesterday were seized from the zoo, including the two bears.

“Around 29 have been taken to Safari Park. After 14 days of quarantine, eligible ones will be set free in the wilderness, such as python, crocodile.”

The poor condition of the animals’ habitat at the zoo surfaced after a video of one of the black bears, reportedly suffering from gangrene, went viral on social media.

The day after his rescue, the mini zoo was declared closed over negligence in taking proper care of the zoo animals.

Officials of the divisional forest department, and around 40 volunteers from three organisations – Rapid Response BD, Deep Ecology and Snake, and Wildlife and Snake Rescue Team – joined the rescue operation.

HOW SURVIVAL OF MINI ZOO ANIMALS BECAME COMPROMISED

There are many listed mini zoos in the country run under the government.

This particular park operated under the Mymensingh City Corporation.

“Recently, news surfaced about one of two bears in this zoo which was severely injured. We then contacted the zoo to find out how they were being kept there. Then we got to know these bears were kept there against the law,” said Officer Rathindra Kumar Biswas.

He continued that in 2014, the owner of the zoo, named Mizanur Rohaman, was granted permission to purchase five deer under the condition that he would obtain a possession certificate and for looking after the deer, he also needed to obtain a licence.

He, however, did not.

He had initially bought two deer.

The WCCU official also said, after the rescue operation, the owner was ordered to apply for a licence immediately, and if he didn’t, his purchased deer would also be seized.

Licences are only granted for zoo upkeep of deer and peacocks, but no other animals, he added.

Asked if the rescued animals were also found in poor condition, Rathindra said the zoo largely lacked the kind of environment suitable for an animal, such as its movement, food and health.

“For example, there were two Madan Tak [officially listed as a highly endangered species of bird]. But there was not enough space for its movement.”

The care required through building proper enclosures, providing treatment, food, among numerous other factors, was not enough to ensure their health and survival in this zoo, which the owner occupied with illegally acquired animals, according to the WCCU official.

He further said a case was under process against the owner under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act of 2012.

How is the bear now?

“The bear tends to pick at the bandage wrapped around his leg, so severely damaged that he requires further treatment which is ongoing,” Officer Rathindra told this correspondent on 10 April.

WCCU Director Mizanur stressed improved public awareness and sensitivity towards wildlife as Bangladesh is home to this globally threatened bear species, which is, in fact, critically endangered in Bangladesh.

Mizanur said, “Oftentimes, zoo owners tend to lack the sensitivity and care that animals need. Some even use wild animals for commercial purposes.”

Asked about what’s next for the animals rescued through this drive, he said, “Wild animals who have been held captive over a prolonged period of time tend to struggle with reintegrating into their natural habitat.”

For the time being, they are being relocated to the Gazipur Safari Park, he said, adding, “We will now work towards how to ensure an even better and more suitable environment and life for these animals.”