Kolkata: Harinalaya, the mini zoo in New Town, may have on display tigers before this Durga Puja. State forest department officials said two tigers will be ferried to New Town from other zoos under the animal-exchange programme.
“The tiger enclosure has been set up. It will have two tigers. The tiger enclosure is likely to be inaugurated before the pujas but a date is yet to be finalized,” said a forest department official.Forest department sources said the enclosure was likely to be thrown open by the first week of Oct.
By the end of this year or early next year, lions will also be brought in, according to an official. Separate zones for carnivores, omnivores and herbivores are being set up by the authorities in the mini zoo.
At present, the zoo in New Town has deer, zebras, giraffes, salt water crocodiles and different species of birds. As per long-term plans, the carnivore section may also have leopards, wild dogs, wolves and hyenas.
Spread over 12.5 acres beside gate 6 of Eco Park, Harinalaya has been operating since 2016. To start with, deer, including spotted and bark deer, were brought in, followed by saltwater crocodiles. After this, two zebras, two giraffes and a hippopotamus were brought in towards the end of 2022 under an animal-exchange plan. The mini zoo remains open for public viewing daily from noon to 7.30 pm.
Hidco has also developed a bird enclosure in New Town that has become a safe habitat for birds and turtles.