A Festival of Life at the National Zoo in Mirpur During the Puja Holiday, Children Fill the Grounds With Excitement
Under an autumn blue sky, with drifting clouds and a festive mood, the holiday turned the National Zoo in the capital into something like a festival of life. Some visitors came with their children, some with family members and others with friends, wandering before the varied residents of the animal world.
In the holiday mood of the Sharodiya Durga Puja, visitor movement at the National Zoo in Mirpur on Wednesday (21 October) was striking. Wild animals moving inside their enclosures, birds flapping their wings and the excitement of children filled the entire grounds with sound.
People of all ages, from young children to adults, moved from enclosure to enclosure viewing animals of different species. Some were absorbed in the joy of watching the animals, while others took photos on their mobile phones to preserve the special moments of the holiday in memory.
Just past the zoo entrance, a little further on the left, visitors come upon the spotted deer. Many stop around this familiar wild animal. Private-sector employee Mukhlesur Rahman brought his little daughter Raisa to the zoo, moving around while introducing her to different animals.
Mukhlesur Rahman said he had come out with his daughter on the holiday. At the zoo, children can see in person the animals they read about in books and learn about them. Raisa was enjoying seeing the animals, and spending such time with family was a joy, he said.
A little further ahead stands the large enclosure of rhesus monkeys. The monkeys' scurrying and varied antics create extra curiosity among children. Some stand before the enclosure watching their activities attentively, while others call family members over to show them a favourite animal.
Beside it is the pelican enclosure. With their long beaks and large bodies, the birds draw visitors' attention. Moving from one enclosure to another, families seem to be introduced to new residents of the animal world at every step.
Further along the zoo path, visitors find porcupines covered in large quills. Curiosity is no less around the animals busy eating sweet pumpkin, chickpeas and bananas. Children sometimes stare in wonder, and sometimes ask their guardians about the animals' names and characteristics.
Next comes the Royal Bengal Tiger, known as the king of the forest. With its huge body and striped coat, the tiger is a special attraction for visitors. On the opposite side of the tiger enclosure is the African white lion; many crowd before the enclosure to see the resting lion.
In the neighbouring enclosure, little Saimon, who came from Badda in the capital, watches an Asiatic black bear. Standing before the enclosure with his father, he watches the bear move. Seeing big animals such as tigers, lions and bears up close feels to him like a thrilling adventure.
Past the large animals' enclosures, visitors meet the emu, a familiar bird of Australia and Tasmania. Many pause to watch the birds walking slowly on their long legs. Farzana Akter came with her niece Roza; she said her niece was seeing different animals and birds, and was especially delighted to see a large bird like the emu up close.
In Farzana Akter's words, visiting such a place is joyful as well as educational for children. They get the chance to learn about animals, and beautiful time can also be spent with family. Further ahead stands the huge giraffe; visitors show separate interest in watching the animal standing with its long neck raised.
Altogether, on this Puja holiday the National Zoo became a gathering place for families. For children, the experience of seeing the animals of book pages before their eyes, and for adults, unadulterated time spent with family — both came together in this single outing.
