"Many lives have been lost"
Jaya Ahsan has called for the closure of all zoos in Bangladesh, condemning them as “prisons” for animals.
Her comments came after a disturbing report emerged about the condition of a bear kept at the mini zoo in Zainul Abedin Park.
The bear, suffering from severe rot on its body and a detached leg, was reported to be in an unbearable state.
There was also a foul smell emanating from its wounds. Experts have said the chances of recovery are slim.
This heartbreaking case led Jaya to reinforce her stance on animal rights and the inhumane conditions of many zoos.
On Facebook, Jaya wrote: “The zoo is the only prison in the world where the innocent are punished without committing a crime.”
Her statement resonated with her followers, many of whom have praised her for taking a stand on such an important issue.
In addition to her vocal criticism of zoos, Jaya has also taken legal action to prevent the abuse of elephants in the country.
In February 2025, following her petition, the High Court suspended the issuing and renewal of licenses for adopting elephants from the wild.
Jaya expressed her deep concern over the treatment of elephants.
She said: “The way elephants are forcibly separated from their mothers’ embrace and subjected to inhumane treatment seems utterly medieval to me.”
Jaya further emphasised that elephants are an endangered species and exploiting them for entertainment purposes is both a moral and legal issue.
She pointed out: “Many lives have been lost while trying to capture elephants for such purposes.”
Her legal efforts are aimed at protecting these national treasures from exploitation and ensuring the preservation of Bangladesh’s biodiversity.
The court’s decision to suspend the licensing process was a significant step forward in the fight to protect animals from abuse.
The actress, best known for her role in Debi, has been a steadfast advocate for animal welfare for years.
In recognition of her efforts, Jaya Ahsan was awarded the “Pranobik Bondhu” Award by the People for Animal Welfare (PAW) Foundation in 2021.
She has used her platform to spread awareness about the humane treatment of animals and to push for policy changes that protect wildlife.
Her appeal for the closure of zoos has found strong support online.
Many netizens are echoing her call to shut down what they see as places of suffering.
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