Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, the state minister for fisheries and livestock, said on Monday that the government planned to transform the Rajshahi Central Zoo into an international-standard safari park, adding that mismanagement, corruption and unplanned development had seriously degraded the historic facility.

Speaking after an inspection of the Rajshahi Central Botanical Garden and Zoo, the state minister said the proposal reflected long-standing expectations among local residents. He said an expert team would arrive shortly to assess the feasibility of the conversion. A comprehensive master plan would be drafted on the basis of its recommendations and implemented in phases, he told reporters.

Tuku said an investigation would be conducted into animals that had previously disappeared from the zoo or been transferred elsewhere, and said new animals would be introduced over time to increase the zoo’s appeal and biodiversity.

On the subject of deer overpopulation in the zoo, the state minister said the park currently held more deer than its carrying capacity, creating problems in feed supply and management. A solution would be devised in line with the expert team’s advice, he said.

Separately, the minister announced that a modern meat processing centre would be established in Rajshahi as quickly as possible to ensure hygienic slaughter and marketing of meat. The required site for the project has already been identified, he added.