Spot the big cat soon at Bannerghatta Zoo

The zoo authority confirms leopard safari may be open to visitors by May 15

The much delayed leopard safari in Bannerghatta National Park may open to the public in May. Zoo Authority Karnataka President LR Mahadevaswamy told BM plans to open the safari by May 15 were underway.

There are many leopards in Bannerghatta National Park. Officials release six leopards at a time during trials to study their behavior before the opening in May. The safari compound will be 3.5 acres. Authorities believe that once the leopard safari opens, it will attract visitors.

Currently, game drives in the park feature lions, tigers and bears. Meanwhile, Shivamogga may soon have a Gaur safari. The zoo is stepping up to make its own fodder to avoid addiction. He had great success at Shivamogga. As there are high voltage wires crossing Mysore Zooit is very difficult to make fodder in Mysuru.

Mysuru zoo becomes ‘atma nirbhar’

covid affect the income of zoos. Consequently, many zoos in the state become “atma nirbhar”, at least as far as fodder is concerned. Covid-19 has brought many changes in the management of zoos. Constraints on the availability of resources at the zoo, primarily fodder for the animals, forced zoo managers to independently manufacture their own fodder on vacant land.

Mysuru grows Napier grass in the empty land. With this, 60% of fodder for elephants and other animals is provided. Shivamogga Zoo also manufactures its own fodder and it is self-sufficient in fodder matters due to the availability of vast land and water. But due to the increased summer heat, the animals are dehydrated. There are mineral supplements provided for Chimpanzees and other animals. The chimpanzees were regularly given tender coconut water to beat the summer heat. There is an encouraging trend in the adoption of animals from zoos. Rs 2.5 crore of funds were received last year for this.

director of the Mysore zoo Ajith Kulkarni said: “Many measures are being taken by the management of the zoo to combat the summer heat. We grow fodder to become self-sufficient. Due to the high voltage lines above, we cannot fully utilize the vacant lot. But we’re fine. »

Senior Chief Forest Conservator BP Ravi said: “We have been on a good diet for the zebras in the zoo. This resulted in good breeding. Covid caused financial problems but taught us to be self-sufficient.