Bangalore: People visiting Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) near Bangalore may soon be able to see some exotic animals and birds from Africa. The authorities of BBP are planning to procure rare animals like giraffe, chimpanzee, wallabies and Zebra from Africa in the animal exchange programme or from some private farms. At present, except the century-old Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysore Zoo, none of the zoos in Karnataka have these animals. In fact, the Mysore Zoo has successfully bred giraffe in captivity which is quite a rare phenomenon as per wildlife experts.
In 90s, a pair of giraffes procured from Africa gave birth in captivity. Now, the Zoo Authority of Karnataka (ZAK) has decided to bring the BBP on par with the Mysore Zoo. Of late, a number of tourists visiting the BBP have appreciated the improvements a lot and this has prompted the authorities concerned to invest a huge sum of money on its further development as well as procuring rare species of animals and birds for the sake of visitors. Thanks to availability of land on all the three sides of the park, there is lot of scope for expansion of BBP. In fact, the Park has the record of having the highest number of tigers in captivity.
As of today, there are over 40 tigers which are seen in the open safari. Tourists from all over the country visit the BBP to enjoy the tiger and lion safaris. ZAK Chairman M Nanjundaswamy told City Express that a team headed by him will be soon travelling to Africa to procure rare varieties of animals and birds exclusively for the BBP. The foreign junket was planned a month ago but it has been put on hold temporarily because of the drought situation.
The executive director of BBP, Dr R Raju has already prepared a list of animals and birds that procured from Africa. They will visit various zoos and private farms in Africa and explore the possibility of procuring the animals and birds in exchange for Hippos and other animals which are in plenty in both Mysore and BBP. The team will visit only after the drought situation improves in the State. He pointed out that African animals and birds do not find it difficult to survive in Karnataka as the weather condition in both India and Africa is almost the same.
A similar doubt was raised at the time of procuring the girafee for the Mysore Zoo but it was laid to rest after the giraffes were bred in captivity here. African zoos are very interested in some animals like Hippos and Hyenas. Since they are abundant in Karnataka zoos, they could be exchanged for the exotic animals or birds of Africa. Any animal or bird procured from any part of the world is looked after well by the zoos of Karnataka.
International experts have appreciated the zoos in Karnataka for the manner in which the animals are taken care of. This goodwill is indeed helping to strike a deal with international zoos while procuring animals on the exchange programme, he added.
New enclosures: Nanjundaswamy said two new enclosures are being constructed at BBP due to congestion. Now, over 40 tigers are put in four to five enclosures which are affecting their free movement. The new enclosures will be opened in next two weeks. Apart from this, a new entry gate is being readied by shifting all the petty shops to another place. Ticket counters will be shifted to a new location. They have planned landscaping and a garden in front of the new gate. Rs 25 lakh will be spent on these new works, he added.
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