BENGALURU: The country’s largest leopard safari has opened at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru. The safari, which started in June, is drawing huge crowds. Alongside lions, tigers and bears, leopards have been added to the safari, providing a new attraction for tourists.
Visitors can now see leopards up close during the safari on buses. Nineteen leopards have been released in the 50-acre open area, making this the first successful leopard safari in the country.
Executive Director of BBP, Suryasen, said that hundreds of tourists visit the leopard safari daily, taking photos and enjoying the experience. “Sometimes, the leopards jump on to the buses. The officials of Bannerghatta Biological Park have already instructed all the drivers going to the safari while entering the leopard safari to be careful in such a situation”, he said.
The caretaker of leopards said that they are usually elusive animals, rarely visible to humans. However, at Bannerghatta’s specially designed safari area, leopards are spotted by tourists on almost every bus trip. The sighting of leopards happily roaming alongside the road brings joy to visitors, who are now able to witness their playful activities up close in Bannerghatta, unlike previous distant sightings.
According to Executive Director Suryasen, “Once the cubs adapt to the group, they are relocated to the leopard safari, providing them with an environment similar to their original habitat.”
Bannerghatta is also a rehabilitation center for leopards rescued from human-wildlife conflicts or separated from their mothers. After rehabilitation, these leopards are transferred to the safari, providing a natural environment.
According to Suryasen, the park has reserved 50 acres for the cheetah safari at a cost of Rs 4.5 crore, ensuring a safe and natural space for the cheetahs. The entire area is fenced with chain-link mesh and rods using railway tracks. The safari region, surrounded by natural rocks and forest-like environment, provides an ideal habitat for cheetahs