Leopard safari opens at Bannerghatta

South India’s first and the country’s largest leopard safari was inaugurated by Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre on Wednesday at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP).

As per Central Zoo Authority guidelines for safaris, an area of 20 hectares has been demarcated and fenced for the safari. Eight leopards have been released for the safari in the open forest area.

According to BBP officials, Bannerghatta is home to a good population of free-ranging leopards (Panthera pardus), and highlighting these top predators is vital.

The facility has been created at a cost of ₹4.5 crore. The leopard safari area comprises undulating terrain with natural rocky outcrops and semi-deciduous forest. This area is covered with a vertical chain-link mesh, which is 4.5 meters high, and MS sheets have been placed at a 30° inclined angle of 1.5 meters.

The officials added that the park receives many leopard cubs rescued across the State owing to increasing human-animal conflict in recent times. “These cubs will be raised and shifted to the leopard safari to help visitors learn about these big cats, the reasons for the growing human-animal conflicts, and the ways to protect the animals,” said the officials.

The officials added that four acres within the safari area had been separated, using a solar fence, to help these animals acclimatize to their new environment.