Is this the wildlife experience we want? Mirpur Zoo is failing its animals

When the lioness escaped her enclosure at Mirpur National
Zoo, initial headlines focused on fear — a predator on the loose, a threat to
public safety. But the images that surfaced soon after told a different story.
Daisy was not prowling with power; she was collapsing. Her ribs jutted out. Her
fur was patchy. Her eyes, dull and sunken, reflected exhaustion rather than
aggression. Instead of the queen of the jungle, she looked like an animal
fighting simply to stay alive.
Her escape did not expose danger. It exposed neglect.
A zoo long
criticised, now in crisis
Mirpur National
Zoo — officially the Bangladesh National Zoo — has faced criticism for years.
Reports as far back as 2016 and 2017 flagged chronic issues: inadequate
budgeting for feed, insufficient veterinary staff, cramped enclosures and
outdated infrastructure.
Daisy's
condition suggests that these issues weren't resolved — they were ignored.
Reza Karim, who has studied captive animal welfare, explains, "A lion does
not reach this level of emaciation overnight. It indicates long-term
malnourishment, chronic stress, or untreated illness. For an apex predator to
look like this inside a national zoo is unacceptable by any standard."
When captivity becomes cruelty
Zoos often
defend their existence by citing conservation and education. But conservation
requires more than cages — it requires functioning systems, trained staff, and
ethical standards. In Bangladesh, the gap between theory and practice is
widening.
Visitors
regularly report seeing animals pacing restlessly, sleeping excessively, or
showing signs of distress — classic markers of zoochosis. Enclosures are often
barren, lacking enrichment, and far smaller than global recommendations. Many
structures date back decades and have not seen meaningful renovation.
Farzana Shurovi, environmental studies graduate and frequent zoo visitor,
describes the experience bluntly. "Every time I go, the animals look
worse. I stopped bringing my younger cousins because I didn't want them to
think this is what wildlife is supposed to look like," she says.
Perhaps, Daisy's
escape wasn't an act of aggression. It was instead likely an act of
desperation.
Public outrage is justified — but what comes
next?
Bangladesh's
animal welfare laws exist, at least on paper. The Animal Welfare Act of 2019
outlines humane treatment, medical care, and ethical captivity. But enforcement
remains almost non-existent.
Following
Daisy's case, public anger has erupted online. The comments express disbelief,
shame, and grief, and many ask the same question: If we cannot care for our
captive animals, should we even have a zoo?
Mahfuz Rahman, a
father of two, who visited the zoo last year, shared his reaction after seeing
the viral images. "We tell our children lions are strong and majestic.
What will they learn when they see a lioness starving to death in a national
zoo? If we cannot provide proper care, we don't need a zoo at all."
His sentiment
echoes a growing belief that Bangladesh needs alternatives — rehabilitation
centres, sanctuaries, or fewer captive animals overall.
The uncomfortable truth: Zoos are failing
their purpose
Globally, modern
zoos are expected to replicate natural habitats, maintain strict welfare
standards, and justify captivity with measurable conservation outcomes. Mirpur
Zoo struggles with all three.
Daisy's
condition became proof of that broken structure.
Daisy is still
alive and that alone raises an urgent responsibility. Her recovery must be
transparent, supervised by independent veterinarians, and shared publicly. But
focusing only on her risks missing the point.
Bangladesh must
decide what kind of country it wants to be when it comes to wildlife. One that
cages animals but cannot care for them? One that treats living beings as
exhibits? Or one that acknowledges when a system is no longer humane and needs
to be reimagined entirely?
Mirpur Zoo
cannot continue as it is.
If we do not act
now, the next headline will not shock us. And that may be the most dangerous
outcome of all.















