Children’s Delight at Dhaka Zoo on Eid

“Look at the donkey, look at the donkey!”—shouted four-year-old Humaira Islam, as her mother, Happy Akter, lifted her high for a better view. Holding her daughter carefully, Happy ensured Humaira could see the donkey up close, a rare treat for the young child who had only glimpsed the animal once before.

Happy Akter, visiting with her family of seven from Mirpur 1, Dhaka, explained that although donkeys are familiar animals, they are not often seen firsthand. “Humaira saw a donkey before, but she probably doesn’t remember it, so today I wanted her to experience it herself,” she said.

The National Zoo in Mirpur witnessed a large turnout on Eid-ul-Fitr, with families and groups flocking to enjoy the festive day among the animals. By Saturday afternoon, visitors from Dhaka and surrounding districts were seen wandering through the enclosures. Families strolled together, friends explored in groups, and young couples enjoyed the animals’ company. Many were busy taking selfies and videos with the animals, while others captured the scenic zoo surroundings, sharing the joy of Eid with loved ones.

A group of four friends from Munshiganj—Rifat Ahmed, Md. Milon, Md. Shipon, and Md. Rakibul—also came to visit. Rifat Ahmed told reporters, “We arrived around 1 pm. I had never visited the zoo before. It’s wonderful to enjoy Eid with friends and see these animals in person.”

Meanwhile, Omar Faruq, employed at a private firm in Savar, took a break near the giraffe enclosure with his wife and son, Al Imran. “Our family is from Dinajpur, but we didn’t go to the village this Eid. Al Imran has never visited the zoo before or seen so many animals. That’s why we decided to come here,” he said.

When asked if he had seen the giraffe, little Al Imran excitedly pointed, “Look, the giraffe is behind you!” He also mentioned seeing tigers, lions, ostriches, snakes, and many other animals. Having previously seen them only on mobile screens, the opportunity to see them live brought him immense joy.

The National Zoo houses a diverse collection of wildlife, including Bengal tigers, black bears, hyenas, elephants, water birds, kangaroos, pythons, gharials, and ostriches. In total, it accommodates 137 species comprising 3,523 animals, birds, and fish. The table below summarises the zoo’s collection:

The zoo’s Eid crowd reflected the popularity of wildlife experiences among children and adults alike. Families cherished the chance to bond while observing animals, and children experienced the thrill of seeing creatures they had only imagined or seen digitally.

For many young visitors like Al Imran, a trip to the National Zoo on Eid was both educational and magical, creating memories that would last long beyond the festive day. The combination of live wildlife, family outings, and the festive atmosphere made the zoo a hub of laughter, learning, and celebration.