Target: Abdur Rahman, Minister of Fisheries and Livestock, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Goal: Impose swift, meaningful penalties and reforms in response to reports of emaciated, distressed zoo animals and systemic neglect, including an independent veterinary audit, public findings, and accountability for any responsible officials.
A lioness known as Daisy escaped her enclosure and appeared severely underweight, with visible ribs, patchy fur, and profound lethargy. Her condition allegedly reflects long-term malnourishment, chronic stress, or untreated illness rather than an isolated lapse. Observers have for years called attention to barren, cramped enclosures and persistent distress behaviors at the national zoo, as reported by multiple Bangladeshi outlets. Zoo leadership has publicly acknowledged crowding, noise stress, and resource constraints, and officials have discussed a long-delayed master plan that has yet to resolve day-to-day welfare concerns.
The national zoo is administered under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock through state authorities, and senior officials have spoken of renovation plans while animals reportedly continue to suffer behavioral and health problems behind the fences. The Zoo Act and animal-welfare standards exist, yet enforcement reportedly remains lax, with inadequate staffing and monitoring contributing to harmful conditions.
These allegations demand immediate, transparent action. An independent veterinary and husbandry audit should be commissioned at once with public release of findings. Intake should be limited until minimum welfare benchmarks are met. Any staff or contractors found responsible for neglect should face disciplinary action and referral for prosecution under applicable laws. The ministry should also commit to enforceable timelines for nutrition, enrichment, enclosure upgrades, and crowd-control reforms.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Rahman,
A lioness named Daisy escaped her enclosure and appeared severely emaciated and ill, allegedly reflecting prolonged deprivation, chronic stress, or untreated disease. Multiple accounts describe animals showing stereotypic distress behaviors, barren and cramped enclosures, excessive noise, and inadequate staffing. Your own officials have acknowledged crowding and resource problems while long-promised upgrades lag behind immediate welfare needs.
We urge you to order an immediate, independent veterinary and welfare audit of every enclosure and species at the national zoo, with a public report and corrective plan on strict deadlines. Pending that audit, please restrict new animal intake and implement crowd-control and noise-reduction measures reportedly needed to curb ongoing stress. Where negligence or cruelty is substantiated, we ask for administrative penalties and referral for criminal prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act and Zoo Act provisions.
Bangladesh can demonstrate leadership by insisting on humane, science-based care. These animals rely entirely on government stewardship. Please ensure that accountability, transparent reform, and enforceable standards transform reported suffering into measurable, lasting welfare improvements.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: Giordano Vasconcelos
