Kakatiya Zoological Park can soon enjoy seeing a pair of tigers

Visitors to the Kakatiya Zoological Park in the city can soon enjoy seeing a pair of tigers or lions, thanks to the efforts of the forest department officials who have submitted a proposal in this regard to the chief wildlife warden.

Meanwhile, the zoo officials have already taken up the construction of the enclosure for the big cats. A moat and a night shelter are being developed as a part of the enclosure. In March last, a pair of leopards (male called Deva and female Sravanthi) was included in the zoo’s display.

According to the zoo authorities, leopards are a big hit with the visitors. “The tiger enclosure is being built behind the enclosure of the leopards. Once the works are completed, we will get a pair of tigers. However, I wish to have a pair of lions first,” Forest Range Officer (FRO) and in charge of Kakatiya Zoo Dr P Punnamchander told Telangana Today.

Meanwhile, the number of the visitors is increasing by the day with the addition of new animals every year. “On an average 2,000 people visiting daily, and we are earning around Rs 7 lakh per month,” Dr Punnamchander saidThe officials also plan to develop the bear safari in the zoo as they have 18 hectares of land covering the historic Padmakshi hillock, adjacent to the zoo.

Established in 1985 on Hunter Road, the zoo has about 380 animals of 44 species consisting of mammals, reptiles and birds, besides a butterfly garden. “We had introduced jungle cat, mouse deer, iguana and leopard last year,” Punnamchander said. Jana Vignana Vedika district president Dr D Prabhakara Chary said adding a tiger or a lion would attract more visitors.