Siliguri Safari Park to only house animals, birds of N Bengal

MP | Kolkata: The state Forest department has decided to keep only those animals and birds that inhabit the forests of North Bengal at Safari Park in Siliguri. 

"We believe that it will be difficult for animals from other parts of the state to cope with the climatic conditions at the Siliguri Safari Park. We want to make it sure that the animals at the safari park do not suffer discomfiture. There are a variety of animals in North Bengal that the visitors can see," state Forest minister Binay Krishna Barman said. 

It may be mentioned thatrecently there has been a demand for keeping animals like giraffe and zebra at the park. The matter was discussed with senior officials of the Forest department and most importantly, with the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), whose nod is mandatory for introducing any new animal at zoos or safaris. 

It was decided that Siliguri park will only have animals and birds of North Bengal. 

Spread over an area of 297-hectare, the animal park that was unveiled in January 2016 has already emerged as a major attraction for tourists and locals. 

As of now, there are three Royal Bengal Tigers with three cubs, a rhinocerous, gharials, over 400 deers, two elephants and an aviary with birds of different species at the park. A 2 km stretch has been readied inside the park that will act as a separate enclosure for leopards. 

The leopard safari that had started in the month of July has been a major attraction. 

"We also plan to introduce four white peacocks, along with a separate bird zone and nature interpretation centre soon," a senior official of the state Forest department said. 

The Safari Park has also introduced adoption for its birds and animals. A similar type of progamme was introduced at Alipore Zoo in Kolkata some years back. 

"To adopt a tiger, a rhino or an elephant, the cost is Rs 2 lakh in a year. Similarly, a deer or a gharial can be adapted by paying Rs 25,000," the official said. The Safari Park has also started the "friend of zoo" programme for wildlife enthusiasts and animal lovers. 

"They can join and volunteer to work with forest staff to take care of the wild animals. In this case, the person will have to pay an annual fee of Rs 5,000," the official added.