Lion Safari at zoo to start in a week

Here is some good news for zoo-goers. The Lion Safari that was out of bounds for public since November 2014 at the Nehru Zoological Park (NZP) is all set to resume in a week’s time. Zoo authorities are working overtime to make sure that the safari starts at the earliest. NZP director G Chandrasekhar Reddy said that the plan was to start the safari by the end of March.

The entrance gate at the Lion Safari is being repaired and the gate is extended as the new bus is unable to enter it. One out of four customised 21-seater CNG run mini bus has arrived at the zoo. The cost of the buses is Rs 64 lakh and this time around the zoo would directly operate the buses. In the past the service was run by a private contractor.

The Lion Safari started on March 17, 1974 and the tiger safari in 1988. The bear and bison safari were included later on. The safari has all-along been one of the most popular activities at the zoo but the authorities had to close the service after a bus broke down inside the Safari Park on November 14, 2014 leaving 30 visitors stranded with a lion just a few metres away, sending shivers down the spine of visitors.

The reopening of the 4.5 km safari ride one of the highlights for zoo-goers has come as music to the ears of regular visitors. Mallikarjun, an amateur photographer and regular visitor to the zoo says it is good that the safari is opening after such a long gap.

Animal lovers are excited and welcome the decision of the zoo management to continue the bison and bear safari as it would provide for a wider range of entertainment. Vignesh Jishnu, an aspiring lawyer and wildlife enthusiast says, “I vividly remember the excitement when a bear had come close to the bus and kissed the window. We are happy that the Safari is back and I cannot wait to hop on the bus one more time.”