DHAKA, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Located in the Mirpur section of Dhaka, the Bangladesh National Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals and over 100 species.
On the occasion of World Animal Day which falls on Oct. 4, animal lovers of all ages in Dhaka flowed to the zoo.
The theme for World Animal Day 2022 is "Shared Planet" which highlights the fact that the world belongs to every living creature and not just human beings.
The day, also known as "animal lovers day," is observed every year across the world with a view of promoting peaceful coexistence between animals and human beings and making this world a safer place for animals.
Fairuz Mahaira is a Class 2 student, who loves wildlife. Fortunately, this year's Wild Animal Day comes during her school vacation.
The girl traveled with her family from Anand Mohan College Road area in Mymensingh district, some 122 km north of the capital Dhaka to visit the zoo.
"I saw deers, giraffes, birds, lions, tigers and I feel good coming to the zoo," Mahira told Xinhua. "Happy World Animal Day everyone."
Another little girl Umaira Habib is also very happy to visit the zoo on World Animal Day.
"I'm very happy because for the first time today, I visited the zoo and saw many animals," she said.
Md Mojibur Rahman, the zoo's curator, said Bangladesh National Zoo was established for the purposes of education, research and entertainment, having about 3,045 animals of 128 species living in it.
Noting that the animals in the zoo are being reared in good management, the curator said that animals provide educational tools for visitors.
"Visitors see our animals and get an idea of how animals behave and what their food habits are," he said, believing that the zoo can provide the education that needs to be taught about wildlife.
Mohammad Rafiqul Islam Talukder, the zoo's director, said that the world is for every creature including human beings.
"We are trying to give them (animals) the natural environment in the Bangladesh National Zoo. All animals here are healthy and natural."
He wished foreign tourists would visit the zoo and learn about the life of these animals. "At the same time let them derive their amusement from animals," he added. ■