New bear safari at Nandankanan

Nandankanan Zoological Park added another feather in its cap by unveiling the Bear Safari on Saturday, only the third of its kind in Indian zoos, marking the foundation day celebration of the premier animal park.

Only Hyderabad Zoo and Bannerghatta Biological Park have the bear safaris. This will be the fourth safari in Nandankanan which already has separate safaris for tigers, lions and recently added one for herbivores.

Built at a cost of Rs 2 crore, the safari currently has six sloth bears. Located close to the herbivore safari and the lion safari, the new one has been specially designed with a natural look. It has a perimeter wall measuring about 1,300 metre in length and has 600-metre road. Facilities like water-holes, feeding chambers, platforms and treatment room have also been created.

Forest and Environment Minister Bijoyshree Routray inaugurated the safari. After inauguration, the Minister lauded the efforts and said endeavours to develop Nandankanan further will continue. “We have approached the Centre to designate Kanjia lake as a Ramsar site of importance,” he said.

On the occasion, Director of Nandankanan Zoo Dr Sudarshan Panda said the animal park has witnessed more features during the year. The slew of measures included addition of new animals such as giraffe, slow loris through exchange programmes, a new interpretation centre, small mammal enclosure and herbivore park among others. To improve the visiting experience, he said, battery-operated vehicles were introduced while zoo keepers and guides were imparted training and exposure trips.

To mark the occasion, a book titled ‘Floral Diversity of Nandankanan’ was released along with the annual report. The book documents 704 plant species available in the zoo. At least 10 employees of the zoo were given away Best Worker Awards by Routray for exemplary performance.

Secretary, Forest and Environment Department, RK Sharma and Chief Wildlife Warden JD Sharma spoke on the occasion. (Source – New Indian Express)