Children’s Delight at Dhaka Zoo on Eid

“Look, the donkey! Look at the donkey!” shouted four-year-old Humayra Islam with excitement, as her mother, Happy Akhtar, lifted her high into the air for a better view. For several moments, Humayra gazed at the gentle creature, marveling at the sight.

After showing her daughter the donkey, Happy explained that she had come with her family of seven from Mirpur-1 in Dhaka to enjoy a day at the National Zoo. While donkeys are familiar animals, she noted, they are rarely seen up close, which makes the experience special for children. Humayra had seen a donkey once before, but Happy wanted to give her the joy of seeing the animal again, this time in person.

The National Zoo in Mirpur was bustling with visitors on the auspicious day of Eid-ul-Fitr. Families, groups of friends, and young couples from Dhaka and surrounding districts flocked to the zoo to celebrate the holiday by observing wildlife. Some strolled through the enclosures, taking photographs and selfies with the animals, while others captured videos or posed against the lush backdrop of the zoo’s natural landscape. For many, it was a day of shared joy, laughter, and bonding with loved ones.

From Munshiganj, four friends—Rifat Ahmed, Md. Milon, Md. Shipon, and Md. Rakibul—visited together. Although they live in different parts of the city, Eid brought them together. “We arrived around 1 p.m.,” Rifat told Prothom Alo. “I’ve never been here before. Being here with friends and seeing so many animals is wonderful.”

In Savar, Omar Faruk, an employee of a private company, rested with his wife and four-year-old son, Al Imran, near the giraffe enclosure. He explained that their family did not travel to their ancestral home in Dinajpur this Eid, making the zoo visit even more meaningful. Al Imran had never seen so many animals in real life. “Look, there’s a giraffe behind you!” he exclaimed, thrilled to see tigers, lions, ostriches, snakes, and more—creatures he had previously only seen on his mobile screen.

The National Zoo is home to 3,523 animals, birds, and fish, representing 137 species. Visitors can marvel at Bengal tigers, black bears, hyenas, elephants, gharials, kangaroos, pythons, and ostriches among many others. The diverse collection provides an enriching educational experience for children and adults alike.

Key Animals at the National Zoo

The Eid visit to the zoo offered children like Humayra and Al Imran an unforgettable opportunity to connect with nature and wildlife, making the festive day even more joyous and memorable.