West Bengal safari roars: Record growth in wildlife conservation & visitor surge
Times of India | 27 March 2025
KOLKATA: The Forest Minister of West Bengal, Birbaha Hansda, announced the remarkable achievements of the Forest Department in the last financial year, highlighting Bengal Safari’s milestones in captive animal care and wildlife conservation. She praised the park’s robust disease surveillance system and its success in handling newborns at the North Bengal Wild Animals Park, popularly known as Bengal Safari.
This year saw a significant increase in animal births, with 30 newborns, including three Royal Bengal Tiger cubs, one Asiatic Lion cub, and four Shanghai Deer fawns. This success underscores the park’s excellence in breeding programs. The veterinary team has played a crucial role in ensuring animal welfare, providing rescue assistance in 27 cases, implanting microchips in 20 animals for tracking and identification, and administering vaccinations to 91 animals.
Bengal Safari has also published its Enrichment Manual, evaluating and improving animal diets and enclosures to enhance well-being. Special reviews were conducted for the dietary needs of sick and newborn animals, and a turtle population count and gender identification survey was successfully completed.
Located in Siliguri and spread across a sprawling 297 hectares of natural Sal forest, Bengal Safari has witnessed a phenomenal year with record-breaking accomplishments. The park, which boasts three large safaris—the 91-hectare Mixed Herbivore Safari, the 20-hectare Tiger Safari, and the 20-hectare Asiatic Black Bear Safari—has been a major attraction, drawing thousands of visitors to experience wildlife in semi-natural habitats.
Bengal Safari has grown as a center for wildlife conservation, research, and education. This year, the park generated revenue of Rs. 8.4 crore till February 2025, while the total expenditure for the same period was Rs. 11.1 crore. A record-breaking 6,195 visitors on January 1, 2025, generated Rs. 1,281,390 in revenue in a single day.
Among the major successes of the year was the successful hand-rearing of tiger and lion cubs, a delicate task requiring expert care. The park also implemented a robust disease surveillance system, ensuring the effective management of blood parasite infections and safeguarding animal health.
In addition to conservation efforts, the park expanded its facilities with a Children's Adventure Park, a new porcupine enclosure, an aviary for small aquatic birds, a Constrictor House for large pythons and monitor lizards, and a new Combo Safari Entrance. These developments enhance visitor experience while prioritizing animal welfare.
Looking ahead, Bengal Safari has ambitious expansion plans, including enclosures for Spectacled Langurs, Mandrills, Hippopotamuses, and Brow-antlered Deer or Shanghai Deer. Other projects include a Walk-in Pheasantry, an aquarium, a renovated zoo entrance, and a new aviary for mixed bird species, all in celebration of its 10th anniversary.
The second phase of Himalayan Black Bear genetic identification has been finalized. In the research domain, three major research reports have been submitted, three new projects initiated, two research papers published and submitted, and the park has welcomed four internship and volunteer programs alongside seven newly launched initiatives.
Reflecting on the year’s successes, Minister Birbaha Hansda expressed pride in the unwavering commitment of the Forest Department and the Bengal Safari team in promoting wildlife conservation and ensuring animal welfare. She emphasized the government’s dedication to strengthening conservation efforts and expanding facilities to make Bengal Safari a premier wildlife destination in the country. With its growing contributions to conservation, research, and education, Bengal Safari stands as a beacon of hope for wildlife enthusiasts and conservationists, paving the way for a more sustainable and enriched future for captive and wild animals in West Bengal.
New Additions to the Safari Park This Year: Children’s Adventure Park New enclosure for porcupines Bird aviary for small aquatic birds Constrictor House (for large pythons and monitor lizards) New Combo Safari Entrance Future Projects: Enclosure for Spectacled Langur, Enclosure for Mandrill, Walk-in Pheasantry Enclosure for Hippopotamus, Enclosure for Brow-antlered Deer / Shanghai Deer, Aquarium Zoo, New Aviary for Mixed Bird Species
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