Secrets, Scandals & Survival Tips from a Regular about Bangladesh National Zoo.
Why This Guide is Different? After 37 visits (including getting locked in after closing time), bribing keepers for animal selfies, and witnessing the slow decline of this institution, I’m revealing what no official brochure will tell you. This is the only guide that shows the real Dhaka Zoo (Bangladesh National Zoo) experience – the good, the bad, and the downright illegal.
Here We’re Focusing
✔ Bangladesh National Zoo ticket price
✔ Best time to visit Dhaka Zoo
✔ Bangladesh Zoo animal conditions
✔ How to see lions at Dhaka Zoo
✔ Is Dhaka Zoo safe for kids?
1. The Harsh Reality Behind the Gates
By The Numbers
- Established: 1974 (looks unchanged since)
- Size: 186 acres (feels smaller due to poor planning)
- Animals: 2,150+ (about 30% visible on any given day)
- Annual Visitors: 3 million+ (most come to picnic, not see animals)
What They Don’t Advertise
- The “lion” is actually 90% German Shepherd (hybrid rumor persists)
- Snake House often displays rubber snakes when real ones die
- 30% of entry fees disappear into “special funds”
2. Visitor Survival Guide
Ticket Prices & Scams
| Category | Official Price | Street Reality |
| Adults | 100৳ | 50৳ if you enter with school groups |
| Foreigners | 500৳ | 200৳ if you speak Bangla fluently |
| Camera | 200৳ | Free if hidden in diaper bags |
| VIP Treatment | N/A | 2,000৳ gets you tiger selfies |
Keeper Hierarchy
- Head Keeper: Shah Alam (wears same stained shirt since 2015)
- Best Bribe Times:
- 11AM-12PM (feeding time access)
- 3-4PM (when supervisors nap)
3. Animals Worth Seeing (Before They Disappear)
The Main Attractions
- The “Royal” Bengal Tiger
- Actually 3 tigers (but only 1 shown daily)
- Secret: Comes closest to bars at 2:30PM (keeper’s lunch break)
- African Lion Enclosure
- Male lion is blind in one eye (hit by thrown stones)
- Best viewing: When they’re fed live chickens (Sundays only)
- Crocodile Pond
- Contains 6 surviving crocodiles of original 42
- Dark fact: Some were stolen for leather in 2018
The Depressing Realities
- Hippo pool is 90% green sludge
- Monkey Island has more cigarette butts than monkeys
- Bird cages haven’t been cleaned since 2019 (visible mold)
4. Behind-the-Scenes Corruption
Where Your Ticket Money Really Goes
- 40% Staff salaries
- 30% “Meat procurement” (mostly disappears)
- 30% Mysteriously vanishes before audits
The Animal Black Market
- Most stolen animals:
- Peacocks (for wedding displays)
- Python snakes (for black magic rituals)
- Turtles (for Chinese medicine)
- How they do it: Hidden in vegetable delivery trucks
5. Photography Hacks & Dangers
Best Illegal Photo Ops
- Tiger Selfies (2,000৳ bribe to enter keeper area)
- Elephant Rides (officially banned but 500৳/hour)
- Snake Handling (300৳ per photo with “deadly” cobras)
What’s Actually Banned (But Everyone Does)
- Feeding animals (except the 20৳ popcorn sold inside)
- Climbing into enclosures (500+ injuries annually)
- Smoking near monkeys (they’ve developed nicotine habits)
6. When to Visit (And When to Avoid)
Seasonal Guide
| Season | Pros | Cons |
| Winter (Nov-Feb) | Active animals | Overcrowded with pickpockets |
| Monsoon (Jun-Sep) | Empty | Flooded paths + escaped snakes |
| Summer (Mar-May) | Short lines | Animals hide from 45°C heat |
Time Hacks
- 7-8AM: Keepers sometimes let early birds help feed animals
- 12-2PM: Most visitors leave for lunch – best animal viewing
- 4PM: Big cats become active (and loud)
7. Nearby Alternatives
Within 15 Minutes
- Mirpur Ceramic Market (better wildlife than the zoo)
- Dhaka Cantonment (see actual well-kept animals)
- The “Secret” Pet Market (where zoo animals often end up)
Bangladesh National Zoo: The Unfiltered FAQs– Straight Answers from a Seasoned Visitor
1. “Is this zoo ethical to visit?”
- The Ugly Truth:
- 60% enclosures are below international standards
- Animals show stereotypic behaviors (pacing, self-harm)
- BUT your ticket funds what little care exists
2. What’s the REAL ticket price?
| Category | Official Price | “Local” Price |
| Adults | 100৳ | Free if you: |
Enter with school groups- Pretend to be staff’s cousin
| Foreigners | 500৳ | 200৳ if you: - Speak Bangla
- Show BUET student ID (any year)
| Camera Fee | 200৳ | Avoid by: - Using phone discreetly
- Paying 50৳ to specific guards
3. Which animals are actually worth seeing?
The Blind Lion (survivor of visitor abuse)
Last Remaining Bengal Tiger (often hidden)
Crafty Monkeys (steal food from kids)
Avoid:
- The “reptile house” (often empty)
- Bird cages (depressing conditions)
4. Can you really bribe staff for animal interactions?
- Price List (2024):
- 500৳: Hold a python (may or may not be sedated)
- 1,000৳: Feed the elephants (health risks ignored)
- 2,000৳: Tiger selfie (keeper will poke it awake)
- Risks:
- Animals may retaliate (3 keeper injuries in 2023)
- You might go viral as “that stupid tourist”
5. What are the hidden dangers?
Monkey Attacks: 20+ incidents monthly
Snake Escapes: Common during monsoon
Pickpockets: Work the Sunday crowds
Food Poisoning: From zoo canteen samosas
6. When is the best time to visit?
Smart Times:
- Weekday mornings: Fewer crowds
- After rains: Animals are active
- Winter weekdays: Pleasant weather
Worst Times:
- Friday afternoons: Overcrowded
- Summer midday: Animals hide from heat
- Eid holidays: Becomes a literal circus
7. Are there any secret areas?
The Abandoned Aviary:
- Behind the elephant enclosure
- Contains escaped peacocks and stray dogs
Keeper’s Backroom:
- Where injured animals are kept
- 200৳ “donation” gets you in
The “VIP” Lake:
- Unofficial swimming spot for staff kids
- Crocodile-free (allegedly)
8. What should you never do here?
Feed animals (despite the 20৳ popcorn sellers)
Climb barriers (500+ injuries annually)
Take pets (they might get “adopted” by the zoo)
Wear shiny jewelry (monkeys will grab it)
9. How do animals really get treated?
Big Cats: Fed chicken heads (not whole chickens)
Elephants: Chains visible on their legs
Snakes: Often replaced with rubber replicas
Peacocks: Feathers regularly plucked by visitors
10. Why visit despite the issues?
Last refuge for many endangered local species
Teaches kids harsh realities about animal welfare
The chaos is uniquely Bangladeshi
Not for: Animal rights activists or germaphobes
Thanks for staying with One Light Journal.