New Year’s Day welcomed the maximum number of visitors in the history of Harinalaya, the deer park opposite Eco Park, that was opened in 2016.
The reason was possibly the buzz created by the arrival of giraffes and zebra. But the new inmates are not being opened to visitors, with their enclosures remaining under cover. “Once the animals settle down in the new environment, we will have a formal inauguration,” said Saurav Choudhury, member secretary, West Bengal Zoo Authority.
A pair of giraffes, Ramu and Sonia, have arrived from Alipore Zoological Gardens on December 28 as have a pair of zebras earlier in the month. A hippopotamus will arrive by early next week.
The two zebras that arrive in early December.
Two types of crocodiles — salt water and marsh — have arrived about a year ago. The third variety available in India, gharial, will come in future.
“We are hoping that the chief minister will inaugurate the park by end-January,” said forest minister Jyotipriyo Mullick.
Enclosures are being readied for future arrivals of carnivores like tiger, lion and leopard and also for Himalayan Black Bear.
The mini zoo is expected to get more land from Hidco behind the administrative block.
Visitors to the Harinalaya now are being greeted by cacophony created by the macaws, all nine of them. Next to them are housed 11 greater sulphur-crested cockatoos. In the enclosure for geese, the two black geese with red beaks attract attention.
Black Swan
The oldest residents are the deer population — 24 spotted deer and eight barking deer. There were many more but have been transported to the Sunderbans.
“This will be an eco-friendly zoo. The design will be scientific, based on Central Zoo Authority guidelines. We will have a captive bird breeding centre. Research programmes on indigenous species will also be conducted here,” said Rabindranath Saha, conservator of forests and ex officio general manager, West Bengal Forest Development Corporation.
Harinalay is open from 10am to 5pm and tickets cost Rs 30.