The unprecedented rush at the Bengal Safari Park, the one-of-its-kind open-air zoological park in the region, on the outskirts of Siliguri these past few weeks has prompted park authorities to bring in six more buses for safari rides.

“We are getting six new buses to be used for safari at the park from next month. Each vehicle can accommodate 18 passengers. The (state forest) department will spend around Rs 25 lakh for each bus,” said Kamal Sarkar, the director of the park.

As of now, there are six buses at the park, but there is a high demand for safari tickets.

“From December 24, 2023 (Christmas eve) to January 1 this year, 40,000 people visited the park from which we could earn around Rs 65 lakh. During these days, we had to hire additional buses and SUVs to arrange additional safaris. Keeping in mind this rush, we planned to introduce more buses so that more people could enjoy the safari,” said a source in the park.

Located off NH10 on the fringes of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary, the park is spread over 297 hectares.

It has open-air enclosures of the royal Bengal tiger, herbivores, the Asiatic black bear, an open aviary, a nature interpretation centre, adventure sports facilities and other attractions.

There is a plan to introduce lion safari at the park soon.

“We are now going through the final stages for the transportation of a pair of lions. The animals are expected to reach here by the third week of January. Preparations are on to ready infrastructure for some more animals like a pair of spectacled langurs, three mandrills and some porcupines,” said park director Sarkar.