As Eid-ul-Azha approaches, allegations have surfaced that some farm owners and seasonal traders across Bangladesh are using hormone-based drugs and steroids to artificially fatten sacrificial cattle for higher profits, despite repeated warnings from veterinary and public health experts.
The practice, though illegal and repeatedly discouraged by authorities, is reportedly continuing in several cattle-producing and trading districts, including Pabna, Sirajganj, Kushtia, Meherpur, Rangpur, Dinajpur, Nilphamari, Gaibandha, Kurigram, Thakurgaon, Panchagarh, Manikganj, Faridpur, Madaripur, Mymensingh, Gazipur, Rupganj, and surrounding areas of Dhaka.
Sources in the livestock sector say some traders use hormone-like substances and steroid drugs such as dexamethasone to rapidly increase the apparent body mass of cattle. The drugs cause water retention in the animals, making them appear larger and more muscular within a short period. Veterinary experts, however, describe this as artificial swelling rather than genuine weight gain, which can severely damage the animals' internal health.
Livestock officials say such practices are prohibited in Bangladesh, yet have not been completely eradicated. They warn that animals treated with these substances often show visible symptoms, including fluid accumulation in the body, unusual softness when pressed, and excessive salivation.
Experts caution that meat from such animals may pose serious health risks to consumers. According to veterinary specialists, harmful residues can accumulate in human tissue over time and may lead to long-term illnesses, including kidney damage, hormonal imbalance, tumour formation, and even cancer.
Dr AKM Humayun Kabir, a teacher at Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, said hormone use in cattle fattening remains a concern despite increased awareness. He noted that steroid hormones can disrupt natural biological processes in both animals and humans.
"Hormones are naturally present in the human body, but external intake through contaminated meat can create serious health complications, particularly in children and adults over time," he said.
Farmers, however, present a mixed picture. Sajid Alam, a cattle farmer, said that permanent farmers generally avoid such practices, but seasonal traders often resort to them due to market pressure.
"They collect cattle from different areas shortly before Eid. Since many of the animals are thin, some unscrupulous traders use hormone-like drugs to make them look more attractive to buyers," he said.
Another farm owner, Md Omar, claimed that such practices are not confined to one side of the border and have persisted for years, though he said the situation had improved compared to earlier periods when livestock deaths were reported in Eid markets.
Researchers also point to the scale of the issue. Dr Ashraful Islam, a researcher at Bangladesh Agricultural University, said steroid use may affect around 10 to 15 per cent of sacrificial cattle in some markets. He added that some traders also use low-cost oral tablets and injections to accelerate weight gain in the weeks leading up to Eid.
