India's Largest Leopard Safari Opens at Bannerghatta Biological Park, Bengaluru

Tags: Environment State News

India's largest and third leopard safari has been launched at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), located 25 kilometers south of Bengaluru.

An Overview of the News

• The safari, inaugurated recently, currently houses eight leopards with plans to increase the number in the future.

• Spanning 20 hectares, the safari is secured with railway barricades and enclosed with 4.5-meter-tall chain-link mesh and mild steel sheets to ensure the leopards remain within boundaries.

About Bannerghatta Biological Park

• Established in 2004, BBP was carved out of Bannerghatta National Park and is under the administration of the Zoo Authority of Karnataka.

• Encompasses 731.88 hectares, featuring a zoo, butterfly park, and rescue center.

• Focuses on scientific development, conservation, and breeding of endangered species.

• Offers safaris for tigers, lions, bears, and herbivores, alongside facilities for bird, reptile, and mammal enclosures.

List of National Parks in Karnataka:

• Nagarhole National Park

  • Located in Karnataka's Kodagu district.

  • Known for its lush woods, streams, hills, and waterfalls.

  • Home to tigers, Gaur, elephants, Indian leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, and deer.

• Bandipur National Park

  • Established in 1974 as a Tiger Reserve.

  • Significant habitat for wild elephants.

• Anshi National Park

  • Created in 1987 from Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

  • Part of Project Tiger since 2007.

  • Located adjacent to Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Kudremukh National Park

  • Known for dense forests and scenic waterfalls like Kadambi and Hanumangundi.

  • Diverse fauna includes lion-tailed macaque, tiger, leopard, wild dog, Malabar giant squirrel, common langur, and sloth bear.

• Mudumalai National Park

  • Shares boundaries with Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

  • Noted for its elephant and tiger populations.

• Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary

  • Situated around 245 kilometers from Bangalore.

About Karnataka

• Capital:- Bengaluru (Executive Branch)

• Chief minister:- Siddaramaiah

• Governor:- Thawar Chand Gehlot

• Bird:- Indian roller