There will be no shortage of sacrificial animals in Chapainawabganj district this Eid-ul-Azha, and there will be a surplus of around 50,000 animals, concerned authorities have said. According to the Chapainawabganj unit of Department of Livestock, the district has 1,76,690 animals, as 12,159 farmers in five upazilas are currently rearing sacrificial animals for Eid-ul-Azha 2023. This year, the demand for sacrificial animals in the district is estimated to be 1,26,379, resulting in a surplus of 50,311 animals for the entire district. Read: With Eid-ul-Azha approaching, Khulna cattle famers distraught over price hike of fodder These animals have been reared in farms and in homesteads. Of these animals, there are 96,543 cows, 70,319 goats, 9,587 sheep, and 241 buffaloes.

In preparation for the upcoming Eid-ul-Azha, a total of 33,937 farmers in Cumilla are currently rearing sacrificial animals and concerned authorities said there will be a surplus of approximately 8,000 animals.  According to the Cumilla District Department of Livestock, the demand for sacrificial animals in 17 upazilas of the district is estimated to be 2,20,492. The district already has 2,29,098 animals, resulting in a surplus of 8,606 animals for the entire district. Also Read: PM accepts cow as gift from couple for Eid-ul-Azha sacrifice A recently conducted survey indicated that Laksam upazila is leading in animal rearing in the district.  A total of 2,592 farmers in this upazila are rearing 21,000 sacrificial animals, surpassing the upazila's demand by 7,500. Similarly, Meghna Upazila has 1,605 farmers who have reared 9,839 animals for sacrifice, exceeding the upazila's demand by 2,400. However, certain upazilas are facing shortage of animals. Chauddagram is experiencing a shortage of 273 animals, Nangalkot 608, Chandina 426, Debidwar 4,335, Homna 395, and Sadar South 1,039. Also read: Muggers snatch Tk 2.5 lakh after killing cattle trader in Bogura Cumilla's Livestock Training Officer, Chandan Kumar Poddar, said, “In upazilas facing shortages, animals are often sourced from neighbouring upazilas or districts. Due to Cumilla's geographical importance, cows are transported by trucks from across the country, including neighbouring districts.”  Concerns were voiced by Rubel Sardar, a farmer from Barura's Jhalam area, who said, “We are facing losses as the price of animal feed continues to rise. Additionally, the entry of cows from India could further deteriorate the market.”  Md. Nazrul Islam, an official from the Department of Livestock, said there is no possibility of a shortage of sacrificial animals in Cumilla. “Additionally, we will establish a medical team in the haat (market), and the cooperation of the market committee will be crucial in this regard,” he said.  Also Read: Jashore’s ‘Lalu Palowan’ worth Tk 5 lakh

It's common for celebrities to have fans. But meet Banglar Tiger, who now has more admirers than a human celebrity. Well, Banglar Tiger isn't any other ordinary bull -- technically a steer, a neutered male popular for its meat -- one finds strolling down the roads. But it's a pure Australian-Friesian variety cattle that weighs around 1,000 kg. Read: Authorities disperse an illegal cattle market in Panchagarh And for some reason, this giant steer has grabbed the spotlight in a remote Kurigram hamlet ahead of Eid-ul-Azha -- making news all over the country. The four-year-old steer is owned by Rajikul Islam, a resident of Paschimdebattar village in Kurigram's Rajarhat upazila. The asking price of Banglar Tiger is Tk 4 lakh, but its owner expects a lakh more for the animal. Read Digital Haat and more Qurbani Cow online shops targeting Eid-ul-Azha in Bangladesh "I have decided to sell the steer as it is now suitable for sacrifice. In case the lockdown ends, I'll take Bengal Tiger to a marketplace and auction the animal," Rajikul says. This is despite potential buyers flocking to his house every day.  "Such a giant cattle is usually not seen in the marketplace. So I have come to see him after hearing his story. I was surprised to see that such a giant steer could be raised at home," says Altaf Hossain, one such potential buyer. Read:Authorities permit 3 makeshift cattle markets in Chattagram, set 17 conditions Rajikul says the steer comes with a high cost of ownership. "I spend Tk 400 daily on Banglar Tiger. The bull consumes German grass, rice husk and maize, and is fully vaccinated," he adds. According to Rajarhat Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Jobaidul Kabir, Rajikul gets expert advice from the livestock department. "The good thing is that he has managed to raise the bull successfully," he says. Read:1.5 lac cattle ready for slaughter in Chapainawabganj, but will Covid-19 stand in the way?

Customs officials on Monday seized 18 Brahman-breed cows at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The animals were later handed over to the Livestock Department, Md Abdus Sadek,  deputy commissioner (preventive) of Dhaka Customs House, told UNB on Tuesday. Read:Man held at Dhaka airport with Tk1.06cr gold “The herd was imported from the US and arrived on Monday afternoon on a Turkish Airlines flight. We seized them as the import of Brahman-breed cows is not legal in the country,” the Deputy commissioner added. He also said that the herd will temporarily be kept at the Central Cow Breeding and Dairy Farm in Savar under the custody of the Livestock Department. Read: 7 held as 119 dead chickens seized from restaurant near Dhaka airport “We’ll wait for 20-21 days. If no one claims them, we will take further legal action,” Sadek said.