Pilikula biological park looking for more donors and adopters

Pilikula biological park looking for more donors and adopters

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 29: Director of Dr. Shivaram Karanth Biological Park at Pilikula said that the park expects some more people to adopt its young animals, owing to the rising cost of maintaining them. Explaining the matter further, he said that the park now has 12 new young animals, born over the past 3 months. Owing to the rising cost of meat and vegetables, it is very difficult to feed and maintain them in the absence of generous donors and adopters.

 

 

He informed that captive lions and tigers require 10kgs meat daily while their cubs require 4 – 5kgs of meat daily. The cost of beef, which was previously Rs 80, has now shot up to Rs 110 per kg and sometimes even Rs 150kg. Pointing out that the government does not provide grants for the park’s maintenance, he said that the park requires Rs 2.5 – 3 lakh for the maintenance of 400 animals belonging to 80 species. He said that only the Central Zoo Authority funds certain projects; otherwise, the park runs of entrance fees and donations given by 8 donors.

The director, therefore, urged people to adopt the young animals and give them names of their choice. The names of the adopters will be displayed on the animal enclosures and they will also be given free entry into the park.

Mr. Bhandary said that Mr. K. G. Shenoy, a Dubai-based entrepreneur adopted a male and two female lion cubs and donated Rs 4 lakh for their maintenance. Since he wanted to give the cubs Hindu, Christian, as well as Muslim names, the cubs were duly named Victoria, Bharat, and Sara.

Currently, the biological park is managed by a registered society, comprising a governing council of government officials, scientists, and other experts. District-in-charge Minister Krishna J. Palemar is the ex-officio chairman of this governing body.