Crowds throng national zoo, hygiene rules ignored

People thronged the National Zoo in the capital’s Mirpur on Wednesday (December 16) on the occasion of the Victory Day. 

The zoo was crowded with people of all ages and professions, from children to the elderly. But many of them do not follow the hygiene rules.

A long query was seen to enter outside the zoo which began to be longer since the morning amid the coronavirus epidemic. On this day of public holiday, many people came to visit the zoo with their relatives in red and green outerwear.

Visitors were thrilled to be able to come to the open natural environment on holidays. The joy of the children and teenagers was eye-catching. Shafiq, a first grader at South Point School in Mirpur, came to the zoo with his father Aminul Islam. He told risingbd that the overall environment is good. It would have been better if the ticket price was a little less.

Mst. Popy, another visitor said, “I’ve been busy on weekdays. Today I got a holiday and came with my friends, I feel much better.”

When asked why she did not have a face mask, she replied, “It is difficult to breathe, so I have removed the mask.”

Abdur Rahman, who came along with his wife from Rampura, said, “There is no way to understand that there is coronavirus across the country. I don’t like to wear a mask when I go around. The mask is in the pocket.”

Many of the visitors entered without masks. Many were taking selfies. Many were chatting. Many brought food from outside and were eating.

Zoo Information Officer Md Waliur Rahman told risingbd that there was a huge crowd today. The visitors were struggling to cope. They were trying to follow the hygiene rules. Their mobile team was patrolling inside. Anyone who did not have a mask was being fined.