The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) near Bengaluru, Karnataka, will soon have the largest leopard safari in India.
Last week, Karnataka’s Minister for Forest, Environment, and Ecology, Eshwar Khandre, instructed forest department and zoo officials to begin work on the leopard safari. This project has been planned for a while.
The safari will feature 20 leopards
For the safari, BBP has set aside 20 hectares of land. The leopards will live in an enclosure surrounded by tall mesh fences and trees.
The enclosure can accommodate up to 20 leopards, but currently, there are only 12.
All the leopards are under a year old and were rescued from the forest. They have been cared for and raised by humans.
Officials aim to open the safari soon. However, before it welcomes visitors, they emphasize the importance of training the leopards and ensuring their coexistence.
Officials suggested that the leopard safari might be open to the public as early as April. However, they mentioned a potential delay until May if the model code of conduct for the Lok Sabha polls is enforced.
Bannerghatta National Park
Bannerghatta National Park is a popular wildlife reserve located near Bengaluru in Karnataka, India. The national park, sprawling across 260.51 sq km, lies approximately 22 km south of Bengaluru. It boasts over 50 animal species and around a hundred bird species.
It already has a tiger safari with 33 big cats, including 7 white tigers, and a lion safari with 19 lions housed in a 5-hectare area.
The Bannerghatta National Park is estimated to have a total of 40 leopards in the wild, making it the highest density of the species in the wild, anywhere in the world.
The park is home to various other species of mammals, birds, and reptiles, including tigers, lions, elephants, deer, and numerous bird species.
In addition to its wildlife, Bannerghatta National Park offers visitors a range of attractions and activities, including a zoo, butterfly park, safari park, and a conservation center.
The park provides opportunities for wildlife safaris, nature walks, and educational programs, making it a significant destination for both tourists and conservation enthusiasts in the region.
