Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, popularly known as Mysore zoo, registered a record footfall of 30,33,032 visitors during the financial year 2011-12, the highest since its inception.
“This figure does not include visitors who came the zoo as part of the zoo in-reach programme, and children under the age of 12 who got free entry on national holidays such as Independence Day and Republic Day and those who came for educational programmes,” Executive Director of the zoo B.P. Ravi said.
In 2010-11, the zoo had attracted 26,69,663 visitors.
Revenue
The zoo's revenue increased in 2011-12 to Rs. 14.52 crore from Rs. 9.56 crore the previous year.
The zoo made a record gate collection of Rs. 11,70,225 on October 6, 2011, when 29,352 visitors came to the zoo, he said.
Attractions
The reason for the substantial increase in the number of visitors, according to Mr. Ravi, is the addition of rare, exotic and endangered species such as the scarlet ibis, black-necked swan and capuchin monkeys through animal exchange programme.
“Successful captive breeding of animals such as wild dog, Indian grey wolf, tiger and cheetah and many species of birds has also attracted animal lovers to the zoo. Arrival of green anacondas from Sri Lanka and their housing for the first time in an Indian zoo also added to the excitement of animal lovers,” he said.
Also, there was emphasis on ensuring hygiene, enclosure enrichment, landscaping and beautification, and development activities for providing visitor-friendly facilities., he said.
Training
The zoo is organising training for final year B.Sc. (Forestry) students of the College of Forestry, Ponnampet, from April 8 to 14 here. The programme is designed to understand the importance of conservation education, captive breeding research, and rescue and rehabilitation.
B.U. Chengappa, retired Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, will inaugurate the training programme on April 8 at 11 a.m. at the zoo. M. Nanjundaswamy, chairman, Zoo Authority of Karnataka, will preside over the function and R.S. Suresh, member-secretary, Zoo Authority of Karnataka, will be present.
