The former in-charge of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park has been booked in connection with the deaths of 11 zebras in January this year. An FIR was filed against Tobibur Rahman under the Animal Welfare Act at the Sreepur police station in Gazipur on a complaint from his successor Rafiqul Islam. In his complaint, Rafiqul claimed that his predecessor failed to promptly inform his seniors about the deaths of the zebras at the park between January 2 and 29. Also read: Criminal cases to be lodged in deaths of Safari Park zebras Tobibur also didn't file a complaint following the deaths of the animals at the local police station and his decision to cut open the stomachs of three dead zebras was not acceptable, according to Rafiqul. Also read: Gazipur safari park animal deaths: One more official shunted out This has caused harm to national wealth and cruelty to the animals for which the FIR was filed under the Animal Welfare Act by the police against the accused, said Rafiqul. Earlier, three officials -- the project director, the veterinary officer, and in-charge of the park -- were removed from their posts to ensure an impartial investigation into the deaths of the animals. So far this year, 11 zebras, one lioness and a tiger have died at the park.

Md Zahidul Kabir has been shunted out as the project director of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur in the wake of the  deaths of 10 zebras in the past one month. Mollah Rezaul Karim, forest conservator of the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Area in Dhaka, has been given the additional responsibility of the popular park. This was announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change in a notification on Wednesday. Read:Bangabandhu Safari Park: In-charge, veterinary officers removed in light of zebra deaths On January 31, assistant forest conservator and in-charge of the park, Tabibur Rahman, and vet Dr Hatem Sazzad Md Julkarnine were removed from their positions and transferred to the forest department in Dhaka. Md Rafiqul Islam, assistant forest conservator of the social forest department, Faridpur, and Md Mostafizur Rahman, veterinary surgeon of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Cox’s Bazar, were appointed in their places. Ten zebras died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Parkin in a space of one month till Saturday. Nine of the earlier population of 22 zebras at the park died between January 2 and 24, according to the park authorities. Read:10 Zebras’ death: Probe panel visits Safari Park The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change also formed a five-member inquiry committee to find out the cause of the zebra deaths and fix accountability. It has been given 10 days to submit the probe report. UNB has learnt that the committee members had already spoken with the owners of a South African farm from where the zebras were imported. Symptoms of a possible disease and test results have been emailed to them, sources said.

The officer in-charge and veterinarian oof Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park in Gazipur have been removed from their post in order to allow for a truly independent investigation into the deaths of 10 zebras within a short period of time recently. As a part of the investigation, Tabibur Rahman, Assistant Forest Conservator and in-charge of the Safari Park, as well as veterinary officer Dr Hatem Sazzad Md Julkarnine were transferred to Forest Department, Dhaka, said a notification issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on Monday Md Rafiqul Islam, Assistant Forest Conservator of Social Forest Department, Faridpur and Mohammad Mostafizur Rahman Veterinary Surgeon of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Dulahazra, Cox’s Bazar were appointed in their place. Also read: 10 Zebras’ death: Probe panel visits Safari Park The notice mentioned that a process is underway to also transfer Md Zahidul Kabir, project director of the park. The 10 zebras died at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Parkin the space of a month till Saturday . Nine of the earlier population of 22 zebras in the park died between January 2 to 24, park authorities disclosed. On Wednesday, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change formed a five-member inquiry committee to find out the cause of the zebras' deaths, and identify those responsible. The committee was asked to submit the investigation report to the ministry within 10 (ten) working days. The inquiry committee visited the park on Sunday and contacted foreign experts, experienced doctors to prevent such deaths of zebras. The committee also talked to South African farm owners from where the zebras were imported. Also read: Committee to probe death of 9 zebras in Bangabandhu Safari Park Symptoms of possible disease and test results have been emailed to them, and a response is now expected later this week.