Officials of the Bengal Safari Park near here have said more people should adopt animals and birds at the facility against fees and said the earnings will be used for the upkeep of the park.

“We want animal and bird lovers and people, in general, to come forward and adopt various animals and birds we have at the park. This is a unique opportunity for them. On the other hand, the adoption of animals would help us increase our earnings and we can use the cash for the development and the maintenance of the park and to take care of the species,” said Kamal Sarkar, the park’s director.

Also known as the North Bengal Wild Animals Park, it is a one-of-its-kind open-air zoological park in the region. The facility is spread over 297 hectares off NH10, on the fringes of the Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Sources said the park authorities needed to buy around 100 kilos of meat for the carnivores of the park every day.

“Altogether, we spend around Rs 2.5 lakh a month for meat. Also, around Rs 20,000 are spent every day to buy fruits, grain and fodder for the herbivores, which means an expenditure of another Rs 3 lakh per month,” said a source.

The park boasts 10 royal Bengal tigers, five leopards, two Indian civet cats, six lesser cats, three fishing cats and five marsh crocodiles among other carnivores. There are over 300 deer, a rhino, pet elephants and several species of birds at the park.

“The state grants funds but considering the expenditure which is on the rise, we believe regular adoption of animals can help us strike a balance,” said an official.

According to him, a person can adopt one or more animals and birds, including the tiger.

For a bird, one needs to spend Rs 300 a month or Rs 3,000 a year. For a tiger, it is Rs 20,000 a month or Rs 2 lakh a year.

“The adopter can renew or extend the period of adoption. In the current fiscal, around 44 people have adopted animals and birds and we could earn around Rs 6.5 lakh,” the official said.

After adopting an animal or a bird, the person concerned gets a membership card with a photo identity proof and a certificate after completion of the membership.

“The adopter will get regular updates about major activities and happenings at the park and can participate in conferences and workshops. A package containing photos of the animal and a write-up will also be handed over to him,” said a source.