BANGALORE: The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) has welcomed new guests this monsoon. Two new rare species of birds -red jungle fowl and lady amherst pheasant and a pair of mithuns have joined the jungle camp. For the first time after BBP was established in 1974, the national park is housing red jungle fowl and lady amherst pheasant, says, Dr R Raju, Executive Director, Banerghatta Park.
The BBP on Tuesday evening received 10 red jungle fowl (five male and five female), three lady amherst pheasant (one male and two female) and two mithuns, a variety of bovines (one male and one female) from Mysore Zoo on gestural sharing.
Speaking to Express, Dr Raju said, “Earlier we had one mithun at BBP which died. After about five years, we have now got two mithuns. With the addition of these three new species, BBP now has 75 different species of animals at BBP” he added. Mithuns are commonly found in North-Eastern part of the country and are raised in domestic and semi-domestic condition, but they are rarely found in Southern region of the country.
“Bringing in new species is one of our efforts to enrich the park. The three new species are under quarantine and displayed for the public” he said.
Meanwhile, relating about the expansion plans, Dr Raju said, “More than 20 hectares of land is being added to the BBP. We are now aiming at bringing in more species, especially larger mammals. About 15 new enclosures have already been planned and identified.”