Feature: Bangladesh's expansive safari park offers visitors unparalleled access to exotic wildlife

For Md. Alamgir, his wife and two children, visiting the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Safari Park was their first time to experience exotic wildlife firsthand.

The park, located in Gazipur on the outskirts of Bangladesh's capital city of Dhaka, is now one of the most popular tourist attractions in the South Asian country.

Tens of thousands of overseas and local visitors, like Alamgir and his family, visit the park every day.

"I have come here with my family and we're having a fantastic time at the safari park," Md. Alamgir told Xinhua.

"My kids are so happy as we've seen birds, elephants and fish. We also enjoyed taking a boat ride and we've seen so many wild animals. It's just wonderful," he said.

Since its opening in 2013 the park has been entertaining and enthralling visitors of all ages.

Its serene beauty and abundant wildlife never fail to captivate visitors, Md. Asaduzzaman Asad, another visitor said, adding that visiting the park was an "uplifting experience."

"Its an exquisite park. Everybody can come here and enjoy spending time with their family. I would definitely recommend the park to all my friends, especially those with kids," he said, adding that the variety fish was outstanding and with all the birds, lions and tigers, it was also a great learning opportunity for children.

The park, established in 2013, spreads over 3,690 acres and offers an unparalleled experience for visitors to experience exotic wildlife.

Along with big cats, other animals found in the park include black deer, bears and elephants.

Visitors can enjoy a short elephant ride in the park that provides a great chance to see the mighty tigers roaming freely in their natural surroundings.

The wildlife in the park can also be enjoyed from the safety of a protected vehicle or by climbing a viewing tower.

One guest described the experience as similar to that of visiting an African safari park.

Alimuzzaman and his wife picked the park for their first outing together and the young couple said they have really enjoyed seeing the lions, tigers and black bears.

"Everything has fascinated us," beamed Alimuzzaman. "We've already been here for four or five hours, but we want to stay here longer," he said, adding that part of the park's attraction was its lush green and enchanting open spaces.

Conservationist Ashit Ranjan Paul, who works for the Forest Wildlife and Nature Conservation Circle, said that every day between 20,000 to 30,000 people visit the park.

"The total area of the park is 3,690 acres and this is more than sufficient for all the wildlife here," he said.

Along with tourists, he said that many forest researchers and students from universities, colleges and other institutions also visit the park.

He said foreigners from many countries including China also visit the park.

"We are so happy to be able to provide the facilities for tourists to see wild animals here."

He said there are seven lions and 14 cubs in the lion enclosure.

"It's amazing as the lions are breeding here. This is a huge achievement for us as it means the lions feel that this is a secure breeding ground for the them."

Paul said they have 11 tigers, one of which was brought from Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, with the others coming from South Africa.

We have a very good veterinary hospital in the park with both a surgical and research center, he said, adding that the safety and happiness of both the animals and the visitors was always the park's top priority. Endit